In 1984 I bought a backblocks farm that ran alongside the Wanganui National Park. I spent the next 16 years living and working in what was, at first, pristine unspoilt native bush and scrub where kiwi woke me every night with their incredibly loud calls all around my hut. Two robins entertained me when I passed through their territories, with their beautiful song and their cocky close inspections.
When I left the block, there was not one kiwi or robin (I found one of them with its head bitten off) left for several kilometres' radius. I am sure it was because I opened an access road to the area and hunters came in with dogs and cats (they dumped these covertly). It is clear our precious native critters cannot co-exist with our pet cats and dogs.
It is silly to get emotional and berate anyone who points out the truth. Can we keep our pets more secure using technology like electronic security bracelets? Or should we let these vulnerable species become extinct?
Whatever we do, we must not just drift until it is too late. Surely we must debate the issues.
Politicians will not get involved; the pet industry is million-mega-bucks territory for their corporate mates.
Sometimes it takes brave people like Gareth Morgan to get us back on the right path.
One comment I would add is that kiwi are tough and adaptable. Without dogs they would almost certainly invade our town reserves and gardens.
Could we live with their 80-decibel calls? I know I could, and I would love to be inspected once more by a robin.
Rob Butcher is a retired engineer and conservationist.
