Community Conservation & Rat Removal on Waiheke
Community Conservation & Rat Removal on Waiheke
December 2023
This brief report delves into community perspectives on conservation and rat removal efforts on Waiheke Island, based on five focus groups conducted in November 2023. Themes explored include the unique nature of the Waiheke community, island conservation issues, inter-group coordination challenges, attitudes towards rat baiting, and the feasibility of island-wide eradication. Recommendations by participants to strengthen community support for future rat eradication on Waiheke centred on education and advocacy. While communication and engagement are already a focus of Te Korowai o Waiheke, recommendations underscored the need for maintaining a high level of organisational visibility while continuing to cement the organisation as a trusted voice on predator eradication methods across the island.