Special Whangarei Heads rate weeds out pest problems

Todd Hamilton and Philip King from Backyard Kiwi and Whangarei Heads Landcare Forum at a kiwi release earlier this year. Photo/Coen Cramer

It was controversial when it was introduced but two years after a special Whangarei Heads rate was imposed the groundbreaking war on weeds and pests is being hailed for its good results.

The rate was introduced in July 2015 to boost existing community-led work fighting pests that were threatening kiwi and eradicating selected weeds on private land.

Believed to be one of the first of its kind in New Zealand, the $50 annual Whangarei Heads Pest Management Rate is levied on about 2000 ratepayers.

It was introduced in Northland Regional Council's Long Term Plan.

Paul Dimery, the council's Coastal Central representative, said the Whangarei Heads Pest Management Working Group ensures the money is spent in areas identified by the community itself.

"At the moment, roughly two-thirds of the rate supports Backyard Kiwi, which has been undertaking kiwi recovery in the area since 2002, and the remainder goes to Weed Action Whangarei Heads."

Mr Dimery said although the amount of money collected annually is not huge compared to some other rates, both groups funded by it say it makes a noticeable contribution to their work.

"Backyard Kiwi reports that kiwi numbers have now risen from just 80 in 2002 to more than 800 last year," he said.

That growth is against the nationwide trend which is seeing a decline in kiwi numbers.

Backyard Kiwi covers an area of about 6000 hectares, expected to increase by several hundred hectares over the next 12 months as the kiwi population expands into places cared for by other community-based landcare groups.

The rate funding provided to Weed Action Whangarei Heads is used to help local landowners and weed action groups raise awareness and urge action to control pest plants.