FAQ

Are there many predator free islands in the Hauraki Gulf?

There are seventeen predator free islands in the Hauraki Gulf. Nearly every island around Waiheke is predator free (except for Ponui) including Rotoroa, Rakino, Pakatoa, Motuihe, The Noises, and Motokorea.

What is the Waiheke Collective and what is its role in relation to Te Korowai o Waiheke?

The Waiheke Collective is a united network of people with the vision of working together to activate and amplify efforts for a healthy and thriving Waiheke natural environment. It was formed in September 2017 and involves a wide range of interests and groups, including Ngāti Paoa, Auckland Council, Hauraki Gulf Conservation Trust, Forest & Bird, QEII National Trust, DOC, Waiheke Resources Trust, and other local conservation organisations and individuals, many of whom have been active in this space for decades.

The Collective established the Te Korowai o Waiheke Trust to deliver the predator free ambition. The Trust has in turn employed staff to carry out the eradication programme of work.

How big is Waiheke Island and what is the population?

Waiheke Island is 9,300 hectares and has a permanent population of around 9,200 people. Waiheke attracts one million visitors throughout the year and the resident population swells to approximately 50,000 people in December/January as the holiday homeowners take up residence.

Will Waiheke really be the world’s first predator-free urban island?

Yes. A ground-based rat eradication was successfully carried out on St Agnes and Gugh Islands in the UK in 2013. However, they only have approximately 100 residents and are much smaller (148ha) than Waiheke, and much further from the mainland (45km). Similar eradication projects currently being planned internationally include the eradication of stoats in the Orkney Islands in Scotland, which are about the same distance from the mainland as Waiheke but bigger (523km2) in size and nowhere near a major city like Auckland, and the eradication of rodents on Lord Howe Island (Australia), about 14.55km2, situated approximately 600 km (370 mi) directly east of mainland Port Macquarie, with a resident population of about 400 people.

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 eradications.

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.

How will we know when the island is predator free?

A project this ambitious will take some time. The more visible signs of success will be seeing taonga species such as kākāriki (parakeet), korimako (bellbird), tīeke (saddleback), toutouwai (robin), weta and geckos dispersing, and recovering their place throughout the island.

The stoat eradication operations will run for at least two years from February 2020, followed by a two year monitoring period before the island is declared stoat free. The rat eradication pilot operations will be May-August 2022, which will then enable the plan and timing for the island-wide rat eradication to be developed. Once predators have been eradicated, biosecurity detection and response will continue to be essential to ensure the risk of incursions (a predator re-appearing on Waiheke) is managed and to prevent them

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.

Are the private landowners on Waiheke going to contribute to this?

Many landowners already control rats and stoats and fully support the initiative. They have pledged their support, both financially and in terms of the approach.

What are you doing about boat owners who use the Gulf and could accidentally transport predators?

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 predators?

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’s your response to those who say that the Predator Free by 2050 goal is unachievable and destined for failure?

Predator eradication wasn’t thought to be achievable at all about 50 years ago. But since that time, we have seen significant improvement and learning, with over 117 islands in New Zealand now predator free. By setting the 2050 goal early, we have seen strong alignment in research and development effort that is helping guide rapid progress in eradication science. In the meantime, we are seeing investment in new tools and techniques that are going to make predator management more effective in the short term. The goal has also been a galvanising and aspiring force for community and agencies alike. Eradications of any sort are ambitious, and there have been plenty of people in the past who said projects were unachievable and unrealistic until they ended up being successful. We know that belief is important because otherwise, no one will try. Waiheke is home to a number of endangered, regionally rare and declining species and we think protection of these is important. Our proximity to our neighbouring pest-free treasure islands is another significant reason to take action.

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, which includes procedures such as avoiding kauri vegetation wherever 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