Taxpayers will see $14.1 million directed toward stepped-up predator control efforts aimed at giving threatened native wildlife a better chance of survival, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said.
Funding from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) will be channelled into scaling up Department of Conservation predator control efforts, as authorities respond to mounting pressure on native species from a major South Island beech mast and seek more targeted, practical protection measures.
This year, South Island beech forests have released an enormous seed fall, driving sharp increases in rat and stoat populations and heightening pressure on vulnerable native birds, bats, and other wildlife expected to face elevated predation risk over the coming year.
“We’re funding more predator control to protect our precious wildlife in national parks and other priority sites across the South Island,” Potaka said.
“The additional funds will be targeted to Kahurangi, Arthur’s Pass, Mount Aspiring and Fiordland national parks, which are some of our most popular visitor sites.”
“DOC will control predators over more than 360,000 ha at these sites and in the Maruia, Arawhata and Landsborough valleys on the West Coast.”
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said the work will help protect key threatened species, including mohua (yellowhead), kākāriki karaka (orange-fronted parakeet), pīwauwau (rock wren), pekapeka (bats), whio (blue duck), kea, and kiwi.
“Aotearoa New Zealand is the only place in the world where you find these unique species. They are a drawcard for international tourists and Kiwis alike, who visit these places to get out in nature.”
“We have seen the recovery of native birds like mohua, rock wren and kiwi in areas where rats, possums and stoats are effectively suppressed.”
According to Potaka, sustained, targeted predator control will be essential to protecting native biodiversity and ensuring steady, results-driven progress toward New Zealand’s Predator Free goal.