No more island life for rats and mice
18 June 2009

Forests on Rangitoto and Motutapu islands are set to flourish again with a pest eradication about to start.

The first stage of the historic pest bust by the Department of Conservation (DOC) begins tomorrow, with support from the Auckland Regional Council.

An aerial bait drop on the two Hauraki Gulf islands aims to eradicate animal pests including Norway rats, ship rats, mice, feral cats, hedgehogs, rabbits and stoats and create a sanctuary for native species, including kiwi, takahe and tuatara. It will also help to protect the world's largest pohutukawa forest on Rangitoto.

“This is arguably one of the most significant conservation projects ever attempted by the Department of Conservation,” says ARC Chairman Mike Lee.

“I have campaigned for a pest eradication on these islands since first elected to the ARC in 1992.

“The sheer scale and technical complexity of the operation is significant, and so is the size of the habitat which will be repaired and restored.”

The combined size of the islands is 3,842 hectares, and a successful eradication would create one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in New Zealand.

Hauturu (Little Barrier Island) is 3083 hectares, Kapiti Island is 1970 hectares and Tiritiri Matangi is 220 hectares.

“The location of this habitat - a wildlife sanctuary nearly 20 times the size of Tiritiri Matangi, within a few nautical miles of Auckland – has enormous potential to benefit tourism and education,” says Mr Lee.

“The creation of this extensive new island habitat will provide a giant leap forward for conservation management, and in the battle to restore and enhance the populations and range of our native fauna and flora.

“The iconic status of the Rangitoto volcano also adds a spiritual dimension relevant to all Aucklanders. This operation will allow the ancient forests of this remarkable island to flourish and breathe life into what will surely be the centrepiece of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.”

The ARC is also working with DOC on an awareness campaign promoting pest-free islands and has its own Hauraki Gulf Biosecurity Plan with a range of measures to stop pests invading again.

Rangitoto and Motutapu islands will be closed for a week after each bait application, with each bait drop taking three days. The islands should be open again on Monday 29 June.

ENDS

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