Research
Latest surveys and reports
Te Korowai o Waiheke Annual Community Survey: Five years of findings 2020 - 2024
This report summarizes five years of Annual Community Survey data. Key market segments are well represented among the 3,263 respondents who participated in the survey, including those engaged in rat control or not, part-timers, business owners/operators, boaters, youth, tourists, large landowners, and Iwi. The survey is designed to measure changes over time in several areas: the level of awareness of Te Korowai o Waiheke activities, community involvement in neighborhood predator control groups or individual predator control efforts, community views and motivations for controlling and eradicating predators, rates of pet ownership, and opinions on controlling or eradicating other animal pests on the island.
Community perspectives on conservation and rat removal.
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.
Waiheke Rat Eradication Social Research Report - Conclusions
Beca Ltd conducted research between April and November 2022 to understand the potential positive and negative social impacts arising from the eradication of rats from Waiheke Island and has identified potential impacts on the social licence to do so.
Research methodology included interviews, surveys, and focus groups with the Waiheke community, conversations with technical specialists involved in rat eradication and/or biosecurity, and a review of literature and case studies on rat eradication.
Download the report summary - August 2023
Recreational Boat Owners & Rats: Snapshot of rat control actions and attitudes
The Hauraki Gulf is the playground of vast numbers of recreational boaters. To support Te Korowai o Waiheke goals to eradicate rats and stoats from Waiheke, a survey was carried out with 63 powerboat and sailboat owners to find out the origin of boats visiting the island, learn whether rats had been observed in or around their vessels and to gauge their interest in rat control measures. Boat owners were also questioned about how they perceived the risk of accidentally introducing rats to Gulf Islands like Waiheke.
A Centre for Social Impact report funded by Foundation North
Foundation North’s Centre for Social Impact was commissioned to complete an ‘evaluative case study’ of Te Korowai o Waiheke. This case study shares the story of Te Korowai o Waiheke to date, including its context and journey, impact so far, strengths, challenges and key learning about what it takes to eradicate stoats and rats from an urban island. It is based on a review of documentation, discussions with Te Korowai’s team and a meeting with its Community Reference Group.
View Report (PDF) June 2023
Dialogues with Dog Owners
While carrying out a series of Rat Operational trials across Waiheke Island, permission was needed by Te Korowai o Waiheke from each landowner within the trial area. With a dense network of bait stations and monitoring devices required to underpin a robust and science-based trial, gaining permission was vital. However, a small number of properties declined to be part of the trial, including dog owners. Given some dog owners expressed concern around bait use, a small study was carried out with 44 dog owners. Aims were to better understand their specific concerns as well as extend an invitation to a focus group for more in depth discussion on tools and methods to eradicate rats from Waiheke.
Community Engagement in the Oneroa Rat Operational Trial
Many casual interactions took place between the Te Korowai o Waiheke field team and members of the public during the Oneroa Rat Operational trial (May-Oct 2023) as bait stations and monitoring devices were being serviced. Information about these interactions was collected through a basic online survey emailed to the 518 properties involved in the trial. Over one third responded to the survey highlighting what community members learned from the trial along with their perceived benefits of rat eradication from Waiheke.
Community Survey Results 2023
Te Korowai o Waiheke was established by the local community, and the community is at the heart of the project's work. As such, it is important that the community's views on rat and stoat eradication are understood so that they can be taken into account.
Every year, since 2020 a community survey is undertaken through a variety of channels including outside Countdown, Waiheke library and on the Fullers ferries. The team loves connecting with everyone and receiving their feedback.
The topline results below, show a consistently high level of support for eradicating stoats and rats over the last four years - both above 95%. The percentage of people undertaking their own rat control on the island has also been consistent but with an upturn to 70% in the last year!