Hamilton City Council, Landcare Research and Waikato Regional Council are teaming up to boost the Hamilton Halo project, aimed at increasing the number of tui and other native birds in the city.
Under a new memorandum of understanding between the trio, Hamilton City has committed to an initial three-year control of rats and possums at 20 sites around the city.
Regional council chairperson Paula Southgate says over the past six years, the Hamilton Halo project has had great success in increasing the number of visiting tui during spring by controlling rats and possums at eight breeding sites just outside Hamilton.
"Now we're keen to encourage the tui to live and breed in Hamilton full-time and promote an increase in the native bird population generally. Having the city council carry out this pest control at 20 sites will significantly boost our chances of doing that. We are delighted to have the city partner with us in this next step," she says.
In the early years of Halo, fewer than 40 tui sightings were reported in Hamilton. Last financial year there were nearly 1600 sightings and surveys indicate increasing numbers.
Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardaker says the project demonstrated how councils could work together for the benefit of the environment.
"This collaborative project delivers excellent outcomes for the city in terms of the return of native birds, particularly the tui - one of New Zealand's most recognisable bird species," she says.
"Hamilton City Council has supported this project for many years, through the restoration of the city's extensive gully network and other native bush remnants where the tui make their homes."
Under the agreement, the regional council and Landcare Research will provide technical advice and support to the new Hamilton pest control operations at the 20 sites, as well as continue with their involvement in control at the sites outside Hamilton.
Meanwhile, in another development, Perry Resources Ltd has agreed to undertake pest control at one of the Halo sites in the Pukemokemoke reserve 18km north of Hamilton.
The company volunteered to do this at its own cost in its application for a resource consent from the regional council to operate a nearby quarry.