DoC fines Auckland boatie $800 after illegal landing on protected Marotere/Hen and Chicken

The Hen and Chicken Islands are nature reserves and closed to the public. Photo / Michael Cunningham

An Auckland man who illegally landed on pest-free conservation island off Northland's coast has been slapped with an $800 fine.

The Department of Conservation (DoC) investigated against the boatie earlier this year after he rowed a dinghy to Whatupuke – part of the Marotere/Hen and Chicken Islands – with the intention of going for a walk.

The Hen and Chicken Islands are nature reserves and home to a range of protected species including a range of at risk and threatened sea birds as well as tuatara.

The islands are closed to the public, and anyone intending to visit – usually for research or science purposes – must have permission from DoC.

Visits to the islands are also subject to strict biosecurity protocols.

The man's unauthorised landing on Whatupuke breached the Reserves Act.

DoC's investigations team lead Dylan Swain says the boatie was in the island group sheltering from a passing weather front, when he spotted a group of people on Whatupuke.

"The group of people was in fact DoC's weed team, who periodically visit the island to control pest plant species," Swain explained.

"This person came ashore expecting he could go for a recreational walk – when in fact there are DoC signs on the island clearly stating it's not open for the public."

When the weed team lead approached the man, he agreed to leave after providing his personal details.

DoC opted to pursue an infringement against the man because, despite complying with instructions to leave the island, he ignored freely available information advising people they could not visit.

"Aside from the signs on the island which clearly state landing is prohibited on Whatupuke, there's easily accessible information about these islands through the internet and specialist boating and fishing apps and websites," Swain said..

DoC took several months to track down the boatie, who initially disputed the infringement fine but is now paying it off.

"Naivety isn't an excuse to break the rules," Swain said.

"It's very clear these islands are off-limits to the public, and this gentleman has disregarded that.

"Years of hard conservation work have gone into protecting these islands and the species living there,

"Illegal landings risk that work – whether it be a stray pest or seeds coming ashore with an unauthorised visitor."

DoC's Infringement System was introduced in September 2020.

Infringement notices can deal with many breaches of the rules that are not serious enough for prosecution with fines ranging from $200-$800, depending on the offence.