Rat ruling unpopular

By ANNE BESTON environment reporter

A ruling that the Polynesian rat, kiore, can be wiped out on Little Barrier Island is so unpopular both sides are considering appealing against it.

The Department of Conservation has won the right to carry out a $580,000 poison drop on the 3000ha island to kill the rats it says are driving some species to extinction.

But the hearings panel ordered DoC to find a new home for some kiore if local iwi requested it.

The Ngatiwai Trust Board has fought against eradication for more than 10 years because the rats are regarded as taonga, or treasure.

It is illegal for DoC to release predators on to conservation land. No nearby island owners had offered the rats a home so the department was in an impossible situation, said Auckland Conservator Rob McCallum.

Ngatiwai is also considering an appeal. "There are a number of avenues open to us," said spokesman Terry Mita.

Legal wrangling may delay the poisoning until winter next year.