September 09, 2013
Conservation Week boost for motu
Kaitiaki of Rakitu Island have received a Conservation Week boost with $190,000 from the Nature Heritage Fund being committed to rid the Hauraki Gulf island of rats.
Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith says the pests are a major problem for native birds on the 327 hectare island like the teal duck, morepork, grey warbler, shining cuckoo and little blue penguin, as well as for moko, copper and ornate skinks.
Nicola MacDonald from Ngati Rehua Ngatiwai ki Aotea Trust Board says removing the rats was a vital step to reviving the mauri of the island.
The rat eradication programme is expected to take up to three years and will involve brodifacoum poisoning
Iwi will also be consulted on a plan by Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye to turn the 15,000 hectares of public conservation land on Aotea Great Barrier Island into a Conservation park.
It is currently designated as stewardship land.
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