Rats and stoats to be banished from Waiheke Island by 2025

Saturday, 15 September 2018

Rats and stoats won't be welcome on Waiheke Island by 2025, which if successful could make it the world's first predator-free urban island.

On Sunday, Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage announced $2.6 million of the Predator Free Limited funding for Te Korowai Waiheke: Towards Predator Free Waiheke at the Piritahi Marae. 

A total budget of $10.9 million was announced which would cover a five to a seven-year programme on the island with funding provided from Auckland Council, Predator Free 2050 and Foundation North.

The island in the Hauraki Gulf is already possum-free, but by 2025 the locals are hoping rats and stoats will be gone too. 

**READ MORE: 

* Waiheke Island shortlisted for predator-free funding** 

Waiheke Island is the second largest in the Hauraki Gulf covering 9,200 hectares with about 9000 residents and about 1.3 million others visiting in 2017. 

'Successful eradication of stoats and rats from Waiheke would make it the world's largest and most populated island predator eradication project,' Sage said. 

'A predator-free Waiheke will see the return of native birds from neighbouring predator-free islands such as Motuihe, Motutapu and Rangitoto.'

The Waiheke project would hopefully set the example of freeing New Zealand of possums, rats and stoats, Sage said. 

Sage said New Zealand had a 'predator crisis' with about 82 per cent of native birds threatened with or at risk of extinction. 

Predator Free campaigner Sir Rob Fenwick has been undertaking pest control on his own Waiheke land for many years.

'Waiheke is already a jewel in the Auckland region's crown, and it will become an even greater taonga once it is the world's first populated, urban island to be predator-free.

'Due to the community's ongoing efforts, northern kākā have recently returned, and there have been unofficial sightings of kakariki,' Fenwick said.

'With the programme we're launching today, other bird species expected to return or increase in number include kereru, tui, bellbird, piwakawaka, grey-faced petrel, NZ dotterel, little blue penguins, shore plover, bittern and spotted shag.'

Sir Fenwick said the project would help both land and seabirds.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said the council was committed to the project by restoring the native bush and protecting the native birds from extinction. 

'We have made fantastic progress in replanting our Gulf Islands with native trees and growing our endangered bird numbers such as takahē, kiwi and kokako,' Goff said. 

'As a result of Aucklanders' commitment to a targeted rate, we will be investing $2.85 million for predator eradication on Waiheke Island/

'This will be a gift from our generation to our children and grandchildren,' Goff said.