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The New Zealand Nature Fund (NZNF) has supported an Auckland Council programme designed to eradicate invasive species on Kawau Island.
The programme, called Pest free Kawau Island /Te Hōtaka kia Riha kore ki Kawau, begins with a project that aims to eradicate browsing pests that damage native flora and fauna on Kawau, specifically wallabies and possums.
Councillor Richard Hills, who is chair of the planning, environment and parks committee, says enabling the public to donate to the project through the NZNF is a crucial step towards realising the vision of a pest-free Kawau Island.
“The support from the NZNF underscores our commitment to protecting Auckland’s natural heritage and enhancing the resilience of our ecosystems.”
NZNF has set a fundraising target of $2 million for the project, with local landowners kick-starting the fund by generously contributing over $500,000 to date.
NZNF’s Denis Marshall says, “This project underlines what can be achieved and sets a high bar for private donations from a local community, for conservation initiatives.
“It is a fantastic demonstration of how communities and organisations can work together to achieve ambitious environmental goals.”
The council’s project lead, Lisa Tolich, says a project of this scale demands a collaborative approach.
That’s why council has partnered with the Pohutukawa Trust, Manuhiri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust, Predator Free 2050 Limited and the Department of Conservation (DoC) as well the Kawau community.
Manuhiri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust’s Ayla Walker says they are committed to preserving and enhancing the natural environment in the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana.
“When we work together as partners to protect and enhance biodiversity, we are working together to create a better future for tamariki, mokopuna and generations to come,” Walker says.
Predator Free 2050 landscape director Brett Butland says at 2058 hectares, Kawau Island could be poised to become one of New Zealand’s largest inhabited pest-free islands.
“We are proud to be an anchor funder and supporting this large, complex landscape scale project, which will contribute to a growing national and international body of knowledge around predator and pest eradications,” Butland says.
Following the confirmation of the successful eradication of wallabies and possums, which is expected to take two years, the next stage of the programme, if approved, will focus on removing invasive predator species such as rodents and stoats.
Discussions will continue with the Kawau community.
The NZ Nature Fund was established in 2000 to raise funds from donors for projects that halt the decline of endangered species, protect, and restore New Zealand’s wild places.
In the past 12 months, NZNF has raised over $1.8 million from private donors for more than 14 conservation projects.
