Department of Conservation (DoC) Hawke's Bay operations manager Connie Norgate said that DoC administered the Wildlife Act 1953. Under this act all native wildlife, such as birds, bats and reptiles, unless declared otherwise, are absolutely protected throughout New Zealand. It is an offence to hunt, kill, or possess any protected wildlife without a permit from DoC.
The pied stilt, himantopus himantopus, or poaka, is a relatively common native wading bird and is absolutely protected throughout New Zealand. The pied stilt has distinctive long pink legs and a long fine black bill.
She said this was clearly a case of not identifying the target and was unacceptable, as it could have well been an endangered whio (blue duck) or similar.
The man has received diversion which totals $650.