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The controversial removal of wallabies and possums on Kawau Island has started.
The operation is expected to take about two years, which includes six months of monitoring, and will initially be ground-based using hunters, trained indicator dogs and thermal drones. Subject to permit approval and necessity, targeted toxins will be used in a second phase to support hunting in areas where there is a high number of wallabies and possums.
Five species of wallaby were introduced to the island by Sir George Grey between 1860 and 1870. The proposal to eradicate them was the subject of a lengthy consultation exercise which drew strong opinions on both sides.
An Auckland Council spokesperson says the complete removal of pest animal species, which includes stoats and rats, will make Kawau one of the largest inhabited pest-free islands in New Zealand.
The eight-kilometre long island covers just over 2000 hectares and has an extensive canopy of native forest. It is home to threatened and at-risk indigenous species including the North Island weka, kororā/little blue penguin and pāteke/brown teal, as well as many other species of shore and forest birds, including the North Island brown kiwi and kākā.
Council’s general manager environmental services Samantha Hill says browsing species like possums and wallabies put pressure on the forests which, if left unmanaged, can lead to long-term damage and changes to the natural environment.
“This is especially evident on Kawau, where the selective browsing of wallabies and possums has changed the forest composition, increased fire risk and destroyed potential habitats and food sources for indigenous species,” Hill says.
“Additionally, Kawau is the only place where wallabies are found in Tāmaki Makaurau and their continued presence is a biosecurity risk to primary industry and the natural environment in mainland Auckland and Northland.
“A successful programme will enable the forest to recover, potentially attracting new species from nearby pest-free islands and sanctuaries.”
It is a collaborative environmental programme, part of the Auckland Regional Pest Management Plan 2020-2030, and works with, and builds on, the Pohutukawa Trust’s conservation efforts.
Partnering with council is the Manuhiri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust, Department of Conservation and a ground-based delivery consortium led by Island Conservation, as well as island property owners.
The project is funded by Predator Free 2050 Ltd, council through the Natural Environment Targeted Rate, the Ministry for Primary Industries through the Tipu Mātoro National Wallaby Eradication Programme, Department of Conservation and the Kawau community.
The eradication programme has started at the southern end of the island, including the public conservation land of the Kawau Island Historic Reserve and nearby private properties (block 1 in the map). While it is underway, residents and visitors to the island should follow all warning signage.
For more information on the Working Towards A Pest-Free Kawau Island project, including FAQs and further factsheets, visit: https://tinyurl.com/2v36v765 or phone council on 09 301 0101.
To support the project and ongoing conservation efforts, visit the New Zealand Nature Fund at: https://nznaturefund.org/projects/kawau-island
