My Account
Kawau plan supported
In regards to your article Kawau Predator Plan Sparks Opposition (MM 7 Sept), as a permanent resident on Kawau Island I would like to share my views in support of the project. As referenced in the story, there is a loud voice opposing the project. However, I can reassure readers that there is an even larger number of islanders with quiet voices supporting the project.
My reasons are that it will finally put a stop to the killing that has been occurring on this island for decades. Most households purchase toxins and traps to manage the rats, stoats and possums on their properties.
Pohutakawa Trust has been culling wallabies for about 20 years and doing a great job of it. Brodifacoum is also used in bait stations by a number of islanders on large and small landholdings. Also, let’s not forget all the birds, chicks and eggs that get killed by rats and stoats on a daily basis. With complete eradication, the killing would stop.
I have faith in the professionals and scientists who have done the research. I have confidence that the methods recommended are best practice for today. No one likes the use of toxins but it’s the best tool we have in the toolbox for full eradication now.
I look forward to seeing the return of more native birds and bush. We can do our bit for climate change.
With the return of a healthy understorey, we will reduce the amount of run off and slips in wet weather.
In times of drought, it will reduce the risk of fire. The trees will also store more carbon.
We have a wonderful opportunity so let’s take it! We will be proud of becoming the largest inhabited pest free island in Aotearoa.
Nikki Porteous, Kawau Island
Roads not cycleways
Auckland Transport (AT) has a Cycling and Micromobility Programme to spend $600 million over 10 years on building 150km of cycleways around Auckland. That’s $4m/km. Major benefits to justify this are health and safety.
Sealing unsealed roads costs between $0.5m/km and $1.0m/km. Rodney has 650km of unsealed roads.
That $600 million could seal all of Rodney’s roads. Major benefits to justify this are health and safety, plus improved community connectivity and farm transport.
Cyclists are involved in 10 times as many serious crashes as motorists. Shifting people off bikes and into cars can save lives.
Since 2011, AT has added less than eight per cent to the length of regional roading in Auckland. Auckland’s population has grown by 16 per cent in that time.
In 2021, NZ had 899 vehicles per 1000 people – one of the highest rates in the world, reflecting our low density living spread across the country.
Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) have grown by 70 per cent and Light Passenger Vehicles (LPV) by 27 per cent over the last decade. Light vehicles are 91 per cent of the fleet, but truck numbers have also grown by 26 per cent over the decade (and they are carrying much the same loads on average, but 28 per cent further).
Roads are the arteries of the country. They connect us – for work, for families.
Cycleways are nice to have, for recreational use, if we can afford them. But first … Auckland needs more, better, and safer roads.
Bill Foster, Leigh
Wool donations
To the oh, so generous people of Warkworth and district, what a fantastic response to my request for wool.
Last Friday, 30 sets of baby clothes went to Auckland Hospital to answer a plea from the midwives, as the cupboard was bare.
This winter had been tough for some families. Be assured, none of the wool you have donated will be wasted. If it isn’t used for baby clothes or crocheted blankets, it will be used to make puppy jackets for rescue centres.
And to the clever knitter who knitted some gorgeous cardigans, beanies and booties, thank you so much for your wonderful effort to help protect some precious babies from the cold of winter and spring.
They are just beautiful.
Thank you.
Sandra Haycock, Warkworth
