FAQ
Why are we doing a rat pilot?
Before we can eradicate rats from the whole island, we need to learn what tools and techniques will work best on Waiheke. The rat pilot involves social research, monitoring and operations. It is extremely exciting that Waiheke has received funding for the pilot – the first step towards an island-wide rat eradication.
Why was this area chosen for the operation?
In order to identify the best operational area, community, mana whenua, and technical specialists undertook a significant pre-planning process to identify questions the pilot needs to answer before an island-wide eradication could go ahead. The operational trial areas were carefully chosen to include various types of habitats, land use, residents, and industry.
Eradication is the removal of the entire population of an invasive species and ensuring they can’t come back while control is the ongoing removal of rats from a site. Eradication operations methodically work through an operational plan with ever-increasing scrutiny to find and kill the last rat from the entire landscape while control operations repeat the same activity regularly, or in response to an infestation.
Both eradication and control are important areas of work. The support, funding, and hours of work (often voluntary) controlling rats to low levels is critical for places where eradication isn’t yet possible, to hold invasive species at bay and prevent the extinction of our native species. While control operations reduce a risk to native species, eradications remove a risk to native species and therefore allow biodiversity to truly flourish.
What is the difference between eradication and control?
What can I do to help?
The pilot programme is a team effort that builds on the dedicated community and backyard rat control already happening on the island. There will be many opportunities for you to help during the project, including:
- Rodent proofing compost bins
- Removing piles of vegetation and debris from your property
- Trapping rats at home
- Volunteering with a community group
- Learn to identify rat signs
- Learn to observe changes in wildlife populations
How will we know if the pilot is successful?
The pilot will be successful if we learn how to best eradicate rats from Waiheke and it sparks even more support for an island-wide eradication. Rats have already been eradicated from 117 New Zealand islands - the first in 1960 led by a Waiheke school teacher. Eradicating rats from Waiheke will be a huge challenge but undertaking a pilot to learn as much as we can is the best first step.
Is my cat or dog at risk?
There is very little risk to cats or dogs from the rat pilot, from either bait stations or traps. The programme uses devices that are inside secure boxes, making it very difficult for pets to access them. Any dead rats will be collected and disposed of safely, in order for a pet to be affected, they would have to eat multiple, whole, dead animals.
How will we stop rats from coming back into the pilot area?
An extra 200m around the operational area will be active with devices during and after the operations – this is called the suppression zone. Traps and bait stations will be placed at an extra high density in this zone to intercept rats attempting to enter the operational area. Following operations, with the suppression zone in place, the focus will shift to developing swift detection and response systems to ensure any wayward rats are found.
When will we go for island-wide eradication?
The results of the pilot will help inform the plan to eradicate rats from the whole island. The pilot will also develop skilled workers, detection and response systems, and protocols, which will be critical to maintaining zero rats in the area. With information from the pilot, Waiheke will be able to seek continued funding for an island-wide eradication and this is a key focus for the Trust.
Will 1080 be used on Waiheke for this project?
No, 1080 is primarily used in large-scale control operations rather than in ground-based rat eradication.
Will cats be targeted on Waiheke Island?
The scope of the Te Korowai o Waiheke project is limited to mustelids (stoats, ferrets, weasels) and rats; cats are not included. Te Korowai o Waiheke encourages residents to be responsible pet owners and strongly supports the organisations on the island working in this area including Hauraki Gulf Forest & Bird and Waiheke Island Society for Care of Animals (WISCA). See the Responsible Pet Ownership brochure here.
When were possums eradicated on Waiheke Island or have they never been there?
To the best of our knowledge, there has never been possums on Waiheke Island.
What are you doing about boat owners who use the Gulf and could accidentally transport rats?
Auckland Council and DOC run the Pest Free Hauraki Gulf programme in the Hauraki Gulf to raise awareness of steps boaties can take to protect our native wildlife when visiting pest free islands. This campaign is well-known to the boating community and Te Korowai o Waiheke will also be promoting this important initiative.
What are you doing about visitors using ferries to travel to the island who could accidentally transport rats?
Many service providers such as Fullers and SeaLink ferries in the Hauraki Gulf have a Pest Free Warrant which requires that these operators have active biosecurity practices to either prevent pests getting on board, or if they do, are trapped in onboard devices. These operators also provide their clients with information in advance, as to what they need to do to comply with biosecurity requirements. We encourage passengers and transporters to use the ferry and barge companies that display a Pest Free Warrant. Auckland Transport also maintains a trap network and has cleaning stations at wharves for passengers to clean footwear to prevent the spread of weeds and kauri dieback disease.
What about other pests like rabbits, hedgehogs and mice?
Te Korowai o Waiheke is focusing on mustelids (stoats, weasels and ferrets) and rats as these have the greatest negative impacts on native biodiversity. This also aligns with the Predator Free 2050 Limited initiative. However, it is acknowledged that the environment is a complex and interrelated web of activity. It can be helpful to work together with your neighbours to implement programmes to reduce other animal pests. Please ask Auckland Council for information about what you can do if you are concerned about a particular animal pest.
What precautions will be taken to prevent the spread of kauri die back?
All Te Korowai o Waiheke staff, including contractors and volunteers, follow the approved kauri dieback prevention protocols prior to entry, which includes procedures such as avoiding kauri vegetation where ever possible, circumvention of the drip-line and strict hygiene standards when working in kauri areas. For further information see www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/environment/plants-animals/pests-weeds/protect-our-kauritrees/Pages