Waiheke Island shortlisted for predator free funding

Tuesday, 16 January 2018

Waiheke Collective members check a mustelid trap at Matiatia Wharf - from left Mary Frankham, Deryn Dromgoole and Patrick Clarke.

Native wildlife on a small island could be transformed if the Waiheke Collective wins $5.3 million for predator eradication.

The Waiheke Collective, which brings together numerous community groups and agencies, has made the shortlist for the government's Predator Free 2050 funding.

Native birds, such as the tui, would flourish if predatory pests were eradicated on Waiheke Island.

Collective spokesperson Mary Frankham said 45 applications from around the country were made and Waiheke's was among seven selected to proceed to the next stage.

Two or three projects will receive a third of their total costs from Predator Free 2050.

Kaka are cheeky newcomers to Waiheke Island.

* How Predator Free plans to wipe out these pests once and for all

* Gene editing not a panacea for eradicating wild pests**

The collective has asked for $5.3 million of the $15.8 million that would be needed over six years to free the island of rats and mustelids by 2025.

'Waiheke could be one of the first populated islands in the world to become predator free.

'The island's environment and community would be transformed if we were free of rats and stoats.

'Iconic species like kaka and little blue penguins would rebound in our forests and on our shores,' Frankham said.

Seabirds, such as grey-faced petrels, would also have a chance to flourish.

Waiheke is surrounded by pest free islands, such as Motuihe, Motutapu and Rotoroa, so rare native birds such as bellbirds and saddlebacks that live on these islands could return to Waiheke if predatory pests were eradicated, she said.

Translocations of flightless birds and reptiles could also be possible.

The island community is already working hard to reduce rats and stoats, making the collective confident that complete eradication is a realistic goal, Frankham said.

The collective has been mapping animal pest control and discovered that rat control is being undertaken across at least 30 per cent of the island.

'We believe predator free Waiheke is ambitious but feasible with a carefully designed operational plan and support from the numerous groups and organisations and the people on the island,' she said.

The Waiheke Collective formed in September and brings together representatives from Hauraki Gulf Conservation Trust, Hauraki Gulf Islands Forest and Bird, landowners with QEII covenants, Waiheke Resources Trust, Waiheke Rat Busters, ecological consultant Jo Ritchie, and staff from the Department of Conservation and Auckland Council.

Waiheke Local Board has granted $15,000 for the collective to employ a facilitator to develop a strategic plan for predator eradication.

'At it's heart, predator eradication isn't actually about killing, it's about saving animals.

'Rats, stoats and other imported predators have large global populations and breed easily, while our unique New Zealand animals only live in a small area and have tiny populations – most of our native birds are threatened.

'Giving our wildlife a chance to survive is something that many Waiheke people are passionate about,' Frankham said.

Winning funding from Predator Free 2050 will boost the project, but the collective plans to address predator problems with whatever funding is available.