Rats in rocks spotted by locals

The topic of rats “the size of cats” living in rock walls on Ōrewa Beach was raised at a local board workshop, with Auckland Council staff saying they would look into the matter.

Hibiscus and Bays Local Board member Gary Brown said that residents of Hibiscus Coast Highway had reported seeing very large rodents in and about the rocks by Ōrewa Surf Lifesaving Club and wondered whether they were encouraged to live there by the nearby rubbish bins.

Brown asked council park and community facilities staff who were at the meeting whether there could be a quick clean up – “after all, they breed like rats,” he said. 

In response, council’s area operations manager, Hibiscus and Bays and Upper Harbour, Sandra May, said rock revetments provide an ideal refuge for rats, and that she had seen them herself in the past when visiting Ōrewa.

She told board members that council has had no recent complaints about rats near or on Ōrewa Beach. 

“However, we will look into this and assess whether action is required at the site,” she said.  “If action is needed, we will reach out to Pest Free Hibiscus Coast to understand how they can be involved in any efforts in managing rats at the site.”

She said there has been no noticeable increase in the amount of rubbish left in or by bins on Ōrewa Beach that the rats could be feeding on.

The recent removal of public rubbish bins included three taken from close to Ōrewa Beach, while 15 were retained.

“We have had no reports from our contractors in an increase in loose litter in the area following the removal of the three rubbish bins. During summer and over weekends the frequency at which our contractors empty bins near Ōrewa Beach and remove any loose litter is increased,” May said.

She also said that when the construction of the seawall between Kohu Street and Marine View gets underway it is likely to disturb any rodents living nearby.