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Auckland Council has been told that its natural environment and water quality targeted rate has delivered 24,000 hectares of on-ground possum control, 391,000 plants in the ground to curb siltation and more than $600,000 in community-based grants.
However, its real success has been with kōkako in Hunua.
At an Environment and Climate Change Committee meeting on September 8, the yearly reports on the natural environment and water quality targeted rate were presented.
Environmental services general manager Rachel Kelleher said the ground-based possum control was the largest area covered in a single year.
“The Hunua ranges are now the second largest mainland population of kōkako in New Zealand and, given that it has more than 40 founding pairs, it is a priority one site for kōkako conservation,” Kelleher said.
Cr Desley Simpson said that while no targeted rate was ever “hugely liked” the work achieved was outstanding.
Deputy Mayor Bill Cashmore said the work had helped to create mana around Council.
“From my community and the whole environment around the Hunua and the rest of Auckland, thank you,” Cashmore said.
Mayor Phil Goff said there were a lot of excuses when first considering environmental projects, but they were too important not to do.
“There were all these things we needed to do and no money to do them,” Goff said
“Most councillors supported (the rates) and all councillors would like to claim credit for the outcomes now because the outcomes are fantastic.”
Chair Richard Hills acknowledged there were often complaints about targeted rates but said long-term issues would not be getting fixed without them.
“Now we see those massive numbers (of kōkako) and they are spreading across to other parts of the city where we might have what is happening in Wellington with the kākā. They are just in people’s neighbourhoods now,” Hills said.
“Kids being born today are going to be able to see some of our wildlife that almost disappeared. It will be quite normal to see them in their backyards because of the work these targeted rates do by changing the mistakes.”
Staff said local board reports that detail how the rates are being spent in individual communities will be released in the next few weeks.
