Ask Phoebe: 'Wild ducks in suburbia cannot be eliminated'

All you can do is wave your arms to shoo ducks off your property. Photo / APN

With ducks congregating in large numbers on lawns throughout Auckland, is there any law that protects them or can people "eliminate" them at will? Or going one step further (not that I would, but just as a matter of interest), could you capture them with the intent of eating them? Is there a line drawn between what is a wild animal and what isn't? Cameron McMillan, Titirangi.

There are indeed laws that protect wild mallard ducks, as distinct from domestic ducks. Hilary Stollery, co-ordinator at Bird Rescue, says that under the Fish and Game Act you may not catch, pen, tether or make pets of wild birds. If you have a problem with the birds settling on your lawn or in your swimming pool, all you can do is wave your arms and shoo them off. You may not kill them or throw things at them or set your dog on to them, as this constitutes cruelty to wild animals. And of course you can't shoot them in a built-up area.

Can you please give us an update on the motorway on/off ramps planned for Wainui Rd in Silverdale? The last comment you made over a year ago was the holdup was because of "planning issues". Some major earthworks have been done on the site recently but all that seems to have achieved is further disruption to exasperated drivers who have to endure an extra 10- to 15-minute drive to access the motorway at Silverdale. Will we be seeing a solution to the daily Silverdale congestion any time soon? Alasdair Scott, Wainui.

The Transport Agency says the company behind a housing development in Orewa is responsible for the cost and construction of the interchange. The agency has given its approval to a concept design for the interchange and it understands work is under way on the final design. Before construction can start, the NZTA will again give its approval and ensure that the interchange does not have an adverse impact on the operation and safety of State Highway 1.

Recently I was driving on Otara Rd in Manukau. I was towing a trailer boat as well. I went through orange traffic lights and now I am ticketed for $150. I am now confused about the rule for orange traffic lights. I could not have stopped as I was towing and the queue behind me was big. Kishor Kumar, Auckland.

A yellow or orange signal means that you must stop, unless you are so close to the intersection that you cannot do so safely. As a rule of thumb, it's a good idea to start slowing down as you approach lights, especially if the green signal has been on for some time, as it is likely to change. And you must take extra care when towing anything, of course, and allow yourself time to stop.