Radio New Zealand

The drop is part of a strategy will target a plague of rats and possums threatening native species in the ranges.

It will be made in three stages over two weeks, starting today with non-toxic bait to get the pests used to it, and the poison will follow in about a week.

Auckland Council said a total of about 50 tonnes of bait would be dropped over 21,500 hectares.

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Auckland City Council

Auckland Council's planned pest control operation in the Hunua Ranges, surrounding reserve land and some private land, is close to getting underway.

From next week, the operational team will be closely watching the weather forecast to determine an optimal weather ‘window’ for the first stage of the operation.

MEDIA RELEASE
Monday 20 July, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Pest Control Education Trust, a joint Federated Farmers and Forest & Bird initiative, today released ‘1080: The Facts’, a resource created to increase public understanding of 1080 and how it is used.

The fact sheet is an illustrated, easy-to-read rundown on which predators are targeted by 1080 and the native species that benefit from its use, and how using 1080 prevents the spread of bovine tuberculosis. It also outlines the precautions taken to ensure 1080 operations are safe.

Auckland City Council

About the programme
In late winter this year (July/August), 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) will be aerially applied to around 21,500 hectares of parkland in the Hunua Ranges area, including Waharau and Whakatiwai regional parks and the Department of Conservation (DOC) administered Mangatawhiri Forest Conservation Area and Vining Scenic Reserve. A highly accurate satellite navigation system (GPS) and custom-designed bait applicators will be used to distribute the 1080 bait and ensure pellets are not spread outside the operational boundary or over excluded areas. Epro Ltd, an experienced pest control contractor will be used to carry out this work.

Otago Daily Times
The Department of Conservation says it will "carefully manage" the cereal bait laced with 1080 poison intended for the postponed Makarora "battle for our birds" operation.

Anti-1080 campaigners have suggested the bait was likely to deteriorate because of the delay until spring or early summer, and could be dumped.

Wanaka conservation services manager Chris Sydney said yesterday Doc" carefully manages the purchase and use of 1080 bait " to make sure it was effective and to minimize waste.

The palatability and toxicity of 1080 cereal pellets started to "measurably decline" about three months after manufacture, he said.