The Auckland Islands (57,000 ha), in the New Zealand subantarctic islands, are a Nature Reserve, a World Heritage site, and home to some of the world’s most extraordinary natural heritage.
There are over 400 plant and animal species here that are restricted to the New Zealand subantarctic region and more than 100 species of endemic flora and fauna.
Auckland Island (46,000 ha) has populations of feral pigs, cats and mice that have inflicted severe ecological damage over the past 150–200 years. After more than 25 years of conservation effort, it is the last island in the New Zealand subantarctic region where mammalian predators remain.
Maukahuka Pest Free Auckland Island is a partnership between DOC and Ngāi Tahu, tangata whenua of Motu Maha Auckland Islands, which aims to remove these pests from Auckland Island.
Project feasibility trials are now completed and the results are promising. With a combination of technological innovation and hard work it seems possible that all three pests can be removed from the island. DOC and Ngāi Tahu are now seeking funding to move the project into the operational phase. In the meantime the team are working on developing the tools they need including; new cat baits, advances to thermal cameras, and modification to helicopter bait buckets.
Read more predator free stories about the Maukahuka Pest Free Auckland Islands:
- Hot News from the Cold South: An update on Maukahuka Pest Free Auckland Island
- The results are in: Where to next for Pest Free Auckland Island?
- Would summer eradication of rodents work for Auckland Island?
- Trials test feasibility of removing pigs, cats and mice from Auckland Island
Find out more the Maukahuka Pest Free Auckland Islands website