TVNZ One News
National's new Conservation Minister says she "absolutely" supports the use of the controversial 1080 poison used to kill the predators of native birds.
Maggie Barry told TVNZ's Q and A programme the use of the poison was "essential" in areas such as Beech Mast and the Hunua Ranges.
National's new Conservation Minister says she "absolutely" supports the use of the controversial 1080 poison used to kill the predators of native birds.
Maggie Barry told TVNZ's Q and A programme the use of the poison was "essential" in areas such as Beech Mast and the Hunua Ranges.
In fact, if the Auckland Council group hadn't voted in favour of using it in the Hunua Ranges I would have given them a call and had a chat with them because I think it's extremely important we accept the science," she says.
"The commissioner for the environment Jan Wright in a report in 2011 and again in 2013 said that 1080 is an outstanding device, a tool that we need to use."
Ms Barry wouldn't rule out further cuts to Department of Conservation staff, saying she hadn't yet discussed the issue.
She added that while the 9% reduction of staff from 2011 and 2013 was "regrettable" overall DOC had grown significantly since 1999.
On Monday the North Shore MP rose from the backbenches to take on the Conservation, Senior Citizens and Arts Culture and Heritage portfolios.
Watch Maggie Barry on Q+A here
"The commissioner for the environment Jan Wright in a report in 2011 and again in 2013 said that 1080 is an outstanding device, a tool that we need to use."
Ms Barry wouldn't rule out further cuts to Department of Conservation staff, saying she hadn't yet discussed the issue.
She added that while the 9% reduction of staff from 2011 and 2013 was "regrettable" overall DOC had grown significantly since 1999.
On Monday the North Shore MP rose from the backbenches to take on the Conservation, Senior Citizens and Arts Culture and Heritage portfolios.
Watch Maggie Barry on Q+A here
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