By ANNE BESTON, environment reporter
A plan to drop rat poison on one of New Zealand's most important wildlife sanctuaries has split conservationists and environmentalists.
A public hearing begins today on the Department of Conservation's plan to dump poison on Little Barrier Island in the Hauraki Gulf to wipe out kiore, or
Polynesian rats.
DoC wants to drop 55 tonnes of pellets from helicopters on to the island in June in a three-day blitz to eradicate the rats, believed to have been on Little Barrier for hundreds of years.
DoC says the rats, the last significant predator on the island, are keeping populations of Cook's petrel (titi) and some species of skink and giant weta dangerously low.
About 40 tuatara held on the island cannot be released until the rats are gone.
The department acknowledges that other native species, including pukeko and morepork, are likely to be killed in the operation, but says their populations will bounce back.
Staff from the Auckland City and Auckland Regional councils have submitted a report supporting the operation.
Independent commissioners have been appointed to make the decision.
Auckland University's professor of environmental management, Dr John Craig, describes the $580,000 project as "close to vandalism".
"Kiore are an important part of New Zealand's early history," he said. "DoC does not have a clear legal mandate."
Dr Craig's colleagues, Victoria University professor of ecology Dr Charles Daugherty and Auckland University associate professor of ecology Dr Mick Clout, disagree.
"I think the case is very strong that kiore should not be on Little Barrier," Dr Clout said.
Forest and Bird and the Auckland Conservation Board are backing DoC. Kiore are listed as a pest in the ARC's pest management strategy.
Local Ngati Wai and the department have failed to find common ground on the issue over a number of years. Ngati Wai says the rats should be managed, not eliminated.
DoC spokesman Warwick Murray said that was not feasible because the 2817ha island was too steep.
"There are a number of species that, if we don't act, will be tipped off the edge into extinction," he said.
Without kiore, the New Zealand falcon could return and shearwater species on neighbouring Great Barrier Island could make their way back.
Herald Feature: Environment
