Category: Conservation

Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  16 August 2024

The whitebaiting season takes place from 1 September to 30 October 2024. Whitebaiting rules are available on DOC website.

DOC Freshwater Species Manager Emily Funnell says it’s always great to see communities enjoying whitebaiting together and catching themselves enough for a feed.

“Whitebaiting is such an important recreational pastime in Aotearoa. The rules are in place to ensure everyone can make the most of the season in a way that’s fair, safe, and protects the fishery for future generations.

“This year, we’re encouraging whitebaiters to think about safety. Whether you are scooping for whitebait in the surf, parked up on the riverbank, or whitebaiting from a stand, it’s important to be water safe.”

Whitebaiting safety tips:

• Don’t fish from wet rocks – waves are likely to wash over them.
• Wear a life jacket and wader belt.
• Carry two waterproof communication devices at all times, such as a mobile phone in a waterproof bag, a VHF radio, or a distress beacon.
• Fish with a mate who knows the area, and share any plans and expected time of return with a trusted person. Ask them to look for you at your expected location and to call 111 if you don’t return.

Whitebaiting can be dangerous. Between 2019-2023, four people drowned while whitebaiting. These preventable deaths occurred in both the South and North Islands, and none of the victims wore lifejackets.

Emily says biosecurity is another consideration for whitebaiters.

“No matter where you whitebait, be sure to follow Biosecurity New Zealand’s updated Check, Clean, Dry advice.

“As an extra precautionary measure, if you are fishing in the Waikato, stick to
whitebaiting in only one river for the season to reduce the risk of your gear and waders spreading invasive gold clam.

“Four of the six species fished as whitebait are either threatened or at risk of extinction. By following the whitebaiting rules and Check Clean Dry advice, you’re helping take the pressure off whitebait species and their habitat,”
says Emily.

Email whitebait@doc.govt.nz for brochures summarising the whitebaiting regulations.

Visit Water Safety NZ’s website for practical information about keeping safe near, in or on the water.

Visit Biosecurity New Zealand’s website for up-to-date Check, Clean, Dry information on freshwater gold clam.

Contact

Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  15 August 2024

Ngāi Tahu and DOC first released 18 takahē on the Ngāi Tahu tribal property Greenstone Station in August last year to set up a third new wild population. A further 10 birds were subsequently released to form a founding population of 28 birds.  

Gail Thompson, Representative for Ngāi Tahu on the Takahē Recovery Group says when Tā Tipene O’Regan and other Ngāi Tahu whānau joined DOC and Fulton Hogan to release 18 takahē on this whenua in August last year it was highly significant.

“It has been wonderful to see how well the manu have settled into their new habitat on Greenstone Station during the past year, successfully hatching chicks and generally maintaining good health.

“I would like to acknowledge the team members on the ground carrying out the ongoing monitoring and predator control work needed to support the survival of this takahē population,” Gail says.

DOC Takahē Recovery Operations Manager Deidre Vercoe says attempting to set up a new wild population can take time, and success isn’t guaranteed, but so far signs are very positive.

“All indications are that the Greenstone Station population is successfully establishing. Most birds have not moved away from where they were released, they have successfully raised offspring, and there have been no adult deaths.

“The takahē are also in healthy condition, indicating this is good habitat for takahē and they are adapting well to their new environment.

“It’s particularly promising that eight out of 10 pairs started nesting within a few months of being released, exceeding our expectations and showing they are settled enough to breed. We believe seven to 10 chicks hatched but some young chicks commonly die in the first weeks and months of life from natural causes.

“It’s positive that five chicks survived to more than six months of age as this is a higher rate of survival than occurs at other wild sites, in Fiordland’s Murchison Mountains and Kahurangi National Park. Unfortunately, one of the five juveniles had to be euthanised due to injury.

“Predator control is crucial for the survival of takahē in the wild and we’re encouraged that trapping in the Greenstone Valley has so far helped prevent any of the adults being predated. But late winter is a vulnerable time as the number of rats in the area reduce due to lack of food, and stoats, ferrets and feral cats that prey on rats can then switch to native birds for food.”

Returning takahē to the Greenstone Valley, where they likely lived centuries ago, is another significant advance for the Ngāi Tahu and DOC Takahē Recovery Programme with National Partner Fulton Hogan and the New Zealand Nature Fund. The national population now numbers around 500, with annual growth around 8% a year. The takahē recovery focus is now on establishing new wild populations to progress the goal of having multiple takahē populations living wild over large areas of their former range.

Anne and Stu Percy, who manage the Greenstone Station on behalf of Ngāi Tahu, have found that cattle and takahē are able to co-exist very well.

“Our working dogs have all been through the takahē aversion training programme,” Anne says.

“The DOC team have been great at keeping us up to date with their monthly reports on the birds, their GPS tracking and how they’re doing.

“It has been exciting to see that some chicks have arrived and are thriving in their new environment,” Anne says.

Fulton Hogan New Zealand CEO Ben Hayward says the Takahē Recovery Programme’s success in increasing the national population to around 500 birds is a significant milestone, and one which Fulton Hogan is immensely proud to have contributed toward.

“The thriving takahē population at Greenstone Station is a testament to the collaborative efforts of Ngāi Tahu, DOC, and our team at Fulton Hogan. Seeing these birds adapt and raise offspring in their new environment is incredibly rewarding.”

The unfortunate injury to a juvenile takahē which led to its euthanasia occurred last month when DOC rangers were catching birds to check their health and weight, which is important for determining if the habitat is suitable.

“The juvenile bird’s leg was unfortunately broken when being caught by an experienced DOC ranger to fit identification leg bands and a radio-transmitter,” says Deidre Vercoe.

“Radio transmitters are important for tracking birds’ movements and are critical to understanding the longer-term population success of this new site.   

“Transmitters last four to five years and over this time enable us to confirm if a bird is alive and to track its location. This information is vital for informing our predator control intensity, and to inform next steps of potentially expanding the population into surrounding areas.

“Vets made multiple attempts to reset the broken leg, but these were unsuccessful. The bird would not survive in the wild with this injury so for its welfare it was euthanised.

“While there is always an element of risk, it is extremely rare for takahē to be injured during capture due to the skill and experience of takahē team members. This is one of few times it has happened in many thousands of bird captures in the 20 years of the Takahē Recovery Programme. This is a reminder that intensive conservation is not without risk to individual animals, but also that takahē population recovery has only been made possible through this intensive management.”

Predator trapping in the Greenstone Valley is carried out by DOC and supported by Air New Zealand, the Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust and Southern Lakes Sanctuary. 

The new wild site for takahē in Greenstone Station is a first step towards an aimed expansion of the takahē population over the upper Whakatipu Waimāori valleys. Ngāi Tahu and DOC are currently considering whether takahē might be released in the nearby Rees Valley next year (2025), providing predator control is keeping predator numbers low enough.

Background information

Fulton Hogan joined with DOC as a national partner to the Takahē Recovery Programme in July 2016. Its support has enabled the recovery programme to grow its work.

The New Zealand Nature Fund has a long-standing association with the programme and joined the DOC and Fulton Hogan partnership in July 2016, providing administration and advocacy support.

More than half the total takahē population is now living at wild sites in the takahē homeland in the Murchison Mountains, in Gouland Downs in Kahurangi National Park and on Greenstone Station.

Takahē recovery is also supported by teams at 18 island and mainland sanctuary sites that provide safe breeding places for takahē to grow their numbers.

Takahē were traditionally a resource for Ngāi Tahu tīpuna/ancestors, who used feathers for weaving korowai/cloaks and kākahu/clothes. Bones were also likely used as needles and for making items.

Seven of the 18 Ngāi Tahu Papatipu Rūnanga have a shared interest in and around Whakatipu Waimāori, Tāhuna and the inland Ōtākou region, referred to as ‘tuawhenua’. Those seven rūnanga are: Te Rūnanga o Moeraki, Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou, Hokonui Rūnanga, Oraka Aparima Rūnaka, Te Rūnanga o Awarua and Waihōpai Rūnaka. The release had their full support.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  14 August 2024

The body of a rare basking shark has been found at Gillespies Beach in South Westland and has been removed from the beach by DOC for preservation and further study at Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Basking sharks are the second largest fish in the world, with estimated reported sizes of over 12 metres. They are filter feeders, with a diet of zooplankton.

The South Westland basking shark measures in at 3.45 m. Despite its size the specimen found on Gillespies Beach is a fairly small juvenile.  Records of juveniles and pregnant females are exceptionally rare globally meaning very little is known of the species reproductive biology. 

Dr Karen Middlemiss, Marine Science Advisor at DOC says, “DOC is very pleased to provide the specimen to Auckland Museum for necropsy and to have the support of iwi (Ngāti Māhaki) to do so. This is a hugely valuable opportunity for us to assist with filling global knowledge gaps for this elusive species.”

Clinton Duffy, Curator of Marine Biology at Auckland War Memorial Museum says that up until the early 2000’s schools of adult basking sharks, sometimes containing hundreds of adults were regularly seen around South Island during spring and summer. 

 “The abrupt disappearance of these large inshore schools has caused concern for the species’ status in New Zealand and more generally, because New Zealand was considered the hotspot for the species in the Southern Hemisphere.”

“Researchers are hoping the specimen will shed some light on the species early life. The snouts of new-born basking sharks are greatly elongated and have a groove running along the underside of them to the mouth. As they grow the snout becomes more normal in appearance. Shark biologists have yet to establish what function if any the unusual morphology (shape) of the snout plays in the life and development of the basking sharks. Most juvenile sharks are miniature versions of the adults. It’s just one of the many mysteries associated with this species,” says Clinton.

Basking sharks are a protected species under the Wildlife Act and members of the public are encouraged to report sightings to 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) or sharks@doc.govt.nz.

Background information

Basking sharks are considered globally Endangered by the IUCN Red List and Threatened-Nationally Vulnerable in New Zealand waters. 

Basking sharks are protected under the Wildlife Act 1953. This means it is illegal to hunt, kill or harm basking sharks within New Zealand’s Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone (200 nm limit around New Zealand).

Any offence under this Act is liable to a fine of up to $250,000 and six months imprisonment. Basking sharks are also protected from fishing by New Zealand vessels operating on the High Seas under the Fisheries Act 1996.

Related links

Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  13 August 2024

The sub-adult kakī, raised in captivity through the Kakī Recovery Programme, will bolster the wild population of the critically endangered taonga species. There are currently an estimated 169 wild adults nationally. The population fluctuates but is trending upwards.

DOC Twizel Senior Biodiversity Ranger Dean Nelson says 80 birds were released at Lake Tekapo/Takapō and another 78 into the Tasman Valley, with both releases taking place since the start of August. The birds were reared at DOC’s Twizel kakī facility and The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust in Christchurch.

“Staff will provide the newly released sub-adult kakī with supplementary feeding for up to six weeks to help them settle into their new environment while they are learning to fend for themselves,” says Dean.

“Two more birds are currently being treated for bumblefoot/ulcerative pododermatitis at the Wildlife Hospital, Dunedin, and will hopefully be fully recovered and fit for release soon.

“We’re also retaining eight young kakī in captivity and it’s hoped they will become future captive breeders. They have been selected to retain maximum genetic diversity in the captive population.”

Ngāi Tahu Representative on the Kakī Recovery Programme Rynee Graham says the newly released kakī face many challenges adjusting to life outside of captivity.

“So much of their new environment is unfamiliar to the manu including navigating frozen water and interacting with other bird species they have never encountered before,” Rynee says.

“While the mortality rate remains high, it is encouraging we have been able to preserve the whakapapa of the kakī to help increase their chances of withstanding threats from disease,” she says.

Dean Nelson says this past season saw the highest recorded number of breeding pairs in the wild with 41 pairs producing eggs. Ten years ago, that number was just 17 pairs.

“It’s been a positive breeding season for kakī, but they are still doing it tough in the wild as they are vulnerable to introduced predators. On average, about 30 per cent of released birds survive to adulthood.”

“Extensive trapping takes place across the Mackenzie Basin, including through the Te Manahuna Aoraki Project and Project River Recovery programmes, with vital support from local landowners.  

Dean Nelson says the recovery programme’s next goal is research to better understand the causes of mortality and develop methods to increase the survival rate.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  07 August 2024

Rotorua and Taupō are the main strongholds for dabchicks, with a total national population estimated at less than 2,500 individuals.

The endemic waterbirds suffered rapid decline during the 1800s and 1900s, but due to conservation efforts they are now increasing in numbers.

DOC Rotorua Operations Manager Zane Jensen says it’s upsetting for DOC staff and conservation group members to see a healthy adult dabchick needlessly killed by a pet.

“The dabchick population in Rotorua is something we can be proud of; they can thrive here in our lakes, even with so many people and pets around.

“But with that privilege also comes the need for people in our community to be responsible pet owners, particularly when exercising dogs off-leash.”

The deceased dabchick at Lake Ōkāreka
Image: M Boardman

The dabchick was found at Boyes Beach. The Rotorua Lakes District Council Dog Control Bylaw allows dogs to be exercised on or off a lead at Boyes Beach during specified times. The bylaw requires dogs to be under strict control of the person exercising the dog at all times, including when off-lead.

Boyes Beach links via a boardwalk to the DOC-managed Lake Ōkāreka Scenic Reserve. Dogs are not allowed to be taken into this reserve, as is the case for all DOC reserves in the Rotorua area. This is to protect our native wildlife from being disturbed, injured or killed by dogs.

“Many dogs have a natural urge to chase birds – it’s up to owners to be on the lookout for risks and keep control of their dogs,” says Zane.

An autopsy by Wildbase confirmed the bird, a healthy adult male, had been killed by a dog.

The natural environment at Lake Ōkāreka is highly valued by the community, with members of two local groups working tirelessly to protect and enhance biodiversity in the area.

Dabchicks are classified as threatened – nationally increasing, and are absolutely protected under the Wildlife Act 1953. Under the Dog Control Act 1996 the owner of any dog that attacks and causes the death of protected wildlife is liable on conviction to imprisonment for up to 3 years or a fine up to $20,000, or both; and the court may order the destruction of the dog.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  07 August 2024

The use of the small high-resolution cameras – fitted to a fixed-wing aircraft – is a new method for collecting forest canopy data, an important measure for the DOC’s work to assess forest health.

DOC Monitoring Science Advisor Terry Greene says the cameras allowed for a comparison of forest canopy health between two adjacent tracts of land in the Papakai area of the park, totalling 2016 ha.

“The aircraft’s flight path took it over two distinct areas of Papakai – a 1300 ha strip we’ve treated with 1080 to control possums, and a 716 ha area where we haven’t,” Terry says.

“We analysed the images to determine the extent of dead and living trees in the canopy.

“The differences between treated and untreated areas are stark – with more than eight times the amount of dead wood seen in the untreated area compared to the Papakai predator control area,” Terry says.

The high-resolution images allow individual trees to be identified within the forest canopy. Images were collated into a seamless picture or ‘orthomosaic’ and analysed using computer algorithms to group pixels with similar characteristics, enabling trees to be classed as either dead or alive.

The difference in the size of the treated and untreated areas (1,300 ha compared to 716 ha) was factored into the analysis so they could be more equally compared.

The trial results correlate with long-term predator control in the Papakai area. Where possums are controlled, the forest canopy is much healthier in the images captured and where there is no possum control there is significantly more dead wood.

Possums are known to go for the most appetizing species first – and in Coromandel, that’s tōtara and kāmahi species. Possums will continually target these trees, eating all their foliage and eventually killing the tree. Over time, possums will impact the structure and composition of a forest as the canopy trees are replaced by less possum-palatable species.

The reduction of healthy forest canopy trees means the wider forest is more susceptible to disease and storm events which cause further dieback and can ultimately lead to complete collapse of the forest ecosystem.

Possum control keeps the possums from building up to levels where they are causing canopy dieback which means the forest is more resilient.

Terry says more work is needed to assess the relative contribution of other factors such as drought and disease to assessments of forest canopy mortality.

Background information

The protected Coromandel forest is home to important native species such as Archey’s frogs, Coromandel striped gecko and Coromandel brown kiwi.

Forest canopy monitoring is part of DOC’s broader programme to monitor the outcomes of its predator control work for the native species and forests that it’s designed to protect.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  07 August 2024

From the northern cape of Te Rerenga Wairua, to the southern bluff of Motupōhue, Te Araroa spans the length of Aotearoa New Zealand.

DOC’s Acting Director of Heritage and Visitors, Andy Roberts says the Trail Pass will provide better data on people using the trail.

“The DOC hut and campsite network is critical for Te Araroa walkers. With the Trust now offering the Trail Pass, people can save time and money.

“60% of the trail is on public conservation land managed by DOC, including 71 huts and campsites across Te Araroa.

“The new Te Araroa Trail Pass can be used to stay at some DOC huts and campsites and provides a discount at others along the trail.

“It also ensures that revenue from the Trail Pass will support trail development and maintenance,” says Andy Roberts.

Walkers need to register their walks through the Trust. The Trail Pass will be sold by the Trust as part of their ‘walker registration’ process, which opened on 2 August 2024 for walking dates from September.

“Te Araroa Trust’s objective is to develop, maintain and promote Te Araroa as a regenerative trail through partnerships and supported by volunteers and donations,” says Te Araroa Trust Executive Director Matt Claridge.

“We are very excited about the Trail Pass, Te Araroa is one of the world’s most diverse long-distance walking trails, allowing people to experience the back country, towns and everything Aotearoa has to offer.

“Around 2,000 walkers complete the 3012km trail as a continuous journey every year, while many others walk parts of Te Araroa over the course of several years.

“Providing additional value for walkers means a better experience for all and contributions from walkers help us ensure Te Araroa is a regenerative trail, with a lasting legacy,” says Matt Claridge.

The Trail Pass also offers users a 20% discount on a further 10 serviced hut bookings to encourage booking and payment.

More information on the Trail Pass can be found on the Te Araroa website.

Background information

• Passholders will be offered a 20% discount on Serviced-category facilities along the trail as part of the pass. High-use facilities like these are often excluded from passes. In this case, rather than exclude them outright, we’re offering a reduced price to simplify trip planning for walkers and encourage booking and payment.
• Te Araroa Trust will retain a portion of the revenue for investment into the Te Araroa Trail, associated technology, and a volunteer warden programme.
• User fees for DOC’s huts and campsites do not cover the costs of the visitor network of huts, campsites, and track. User fees ensure a contribution (besides taxpayer funding) towards the provision of facilities by those who use them.
• Accommodation that is not on conservation land (DOC managed) will need to be booked directly with private providers.
• If you’re through-walking Te Araroa, or walking the South Island, you’ll need to purchase the pass as part of your walker registration.
• If you’re just walking the North Island, or section walking, the Trail Pass is optional. You can still purchase The Trail Pass if you prefer the ease of one transaction.

Contact

Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  05 August 2024

The Department of Conservation’s Regional Operations Director for the Northern North Island, Sue Reed-Thomas, says this is a significant milestone because it is the first CMS specifically dedicated to caring for, managing and protecting conservation lands and waters in the Te Hiku region. 

The draft Te Hiku CMS is the outcome of the four Te Hiku o Te Ika-a-Māui iwi’s Treaty Claims Settlement Acts and is the first in Aotearoa/New Zealand to be co-authored by iwi and DOC.

“Nature in Te Hiku o Te Ika-a-Māui is incredibly special, a unique mix of species and ecosystems, many found nowhere else in Aotearoa New Zealand or anywhere else on the planet.  The land holds many stories of our beginnings as a nation, and it’s a place of outstanding natural beauty people want to connect with in different ways.” 

“Together, we’ve worked to describe how special Te Hiku is and what we think it will take to protect these treasures on the conservation lands and waters referred to in the CMS as Te Korowai lands. People and organisations are invited to have their say on what is important to them, what activities should be allowed on conservation lands and waters, and how important matters like climate change should be recognised,” she says. 

The draft Te Hiku CMS covers an area described in Treaty settlements as ‘Te Korowai’, extending from the Hokianga and Rangaunu Harbours northwards to Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua, including Manawatāwhi (Three Kings Islands).  

The strategy sets the priorities and direction for DOC and iwi in the management of Te Korowai lands and waters to deliver over the next ten years, including the care of special places and wildlife. It also outlines permissible recreational and commercial activities such as guiding, vehicle access, hunting, and aviation. 

Ms Reed-Thomas says the CMS has new policies that reflect the emerging issues the region is facing, such as the threat of climate change on whenua and species and the direction of the Treaty Claims Settlement Acts. Together they provide a new pathway for managing Te Korowai lands and waters in the region. This includes: 

• Climate change: Identifying climate change as a significant challenge, setting approaches to adapt to these challenges, and applying mitigation measures to increase resilience.  

• Tikanga Māori: Recognising tikanga Māori practices and procedures that connect people to their ancestral lands and waters. 

• Preference: Identifying circumstances where a reasonable degree of preference should be given to Te Hiku iwi in line with legislation. 

“Te Hiku region is full of beautiful places and special species, and rich in Māori and European history which means a lot to those who live here, as well as our many visitors. The development of the Te Hiku CMS is a unique opportunity for the public to contribute to how Te Korowai lands and waters will be managed.”

“If you are passionate about natural heritage, climate change, historic places, cultural heritage, or if you engage in activities like bird watching, hiking, hunting, mountain biking, kayaking, or any other recreational activities, your input is invaluable.” 

“By making a submission, you can be part of this groundbreaking process and help shape the future management of these lands and waters,” she says. 

Individuals and organisations can submit online through the DOC website.

Submissions can also be emailed to tehikuCMS@doc.govt.nz or posted to: 

Te Hiku CMS Submissions 
Department of Conservation 
Private Bag 3072 
Hamilton 3240 

Submissions open on 5 August and close at 5 pm on 11 October 2024. 

For more information, visit the DOC website or contact the Te Hiku CMS team at tehikuCMS@doc.govt.nz 

Contact

Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  02 August 2024

The competition will take place over the same dates from 1 August to 26 November.

Wild goats are prolific breeders, and DOC cannot manage numbers alone. The competition aims to encourage hunters, agencies, and landowners to get involved and help reduce the damage they cause to the environment.  

“Over 10,000 wild goats were removed last year – we are keen to up the ante and make wild goat hunting a regular feature in the hunting calendar,” says Ben Reddiex, Director National Programmes at DOC.

The competition takes place during a quieter period in the hunting calendar, after the roar and duck shooting.

Callum Sheridan, President of NZDA says, “the timing gives recreational hunters an extra reason to get out into the back country and refine their hunting skills – all while doing their part to control wild goat numbers”.

Competition entrant Jesse O’Gorman made the most of the 2023 competition. Jesse dropped flyers into the letterboxes of local landowners around his hometown Wellington. This led to gaining permission to hunt wild goats on QEII blocks and a large forestry block.

“I saw a flyer in the local Hunting & Fishing NZ store and thought it would be a good thing to give a go,” says Jesse.  

“It’s good exercise and fun to get out in the bush, while knowing what you’re doing is helping the environment. I collected 54 tails from properties around the Wellington region. I also shot hares for the forestry manager.”

Jesse won some great prizes at his local NZDA branch. This year, there are over $70,000 worth of prizes are up for grabs donated by the hunting and outdoor sector.

Entrants could be in to win a huge range of prizes from Hunting & Fishing NZ Ltd., outdoor apparel from Huntech, thermal products from InfiRay, a professional guided hunt, a Traeger Ironwood series grill, binoculars from Bushnell, and much more!

Can the G.O.A.T of 2023 be beaten?

Competitors can enter at NZDA branches, Hunting & Fishing NZ stores, and some DOC offices across the country. Check out the website for more information on how to enter.

Te Tari Pūreke Firearms Safety Authority is supporting the 2024 competition and would like to remind all competitors to handle, transport and store their firearms safely, and always identify their target beyond all doubt.

The competition is also supported by Hunting & Fishing NZ Ltd., and Federated Farmers of NZ.

Thanks to our 2024 sponsors:

Background information

• Date: 1 August – 26 November. Entries close at midnight on 26 November 2024.
• Location: Nationwide – on both public and private land.
• Entry locations: NZDA branches, some DOC offices, and Hunting & Fishing NZ Ltd. stores.  
• Competition categories: Large national prizes, spot prizes, and NZDA branch prizes.

Category	Criteria
Got Your Goat	Enter just one wild goat tail and go in the draw to win a prize pack from Hunting & Fishing NZ Ltd.
Great Goat Round Up	The more wild goat tails entered the more chances to win.
NZDA’s G.O.A.T (Greatest of all Time)	Wild goat head with the largest Douglas Score.
Junior Goat Round Up	18 years or under more wild goat tails entered, the more chances to win
Junior G.O.A.T.	18 years or under wild goat head with largest Douglas Score
Monthly Spot Prizes	Enter just one wild goat tail and be in to win
The Goat-Free Zone	Landowners who register their interest for their land to be hunted go in the draw to win an epic spot prize.

• Over 10,000 wild goats were removed in the 2023 competition.
• The competition promotes safe firearms use, keeping safe in the back country, and ethical and humane hunting.
• In Budget 2022 the Government invested an additional $30 million to increase deer management and goat control.
• The national wild goat hunting competition is one tool to encourage more wild goat removal, build relationships across sectors, and raise awareness about the impact of wild goats on farmlands, and native plants and habitats.
• DOC aims to protect native plants and habitats. DOC’s priorities for goat control work are:
  • Maintaining or achieving wild goat free areas in areas of high biodiversity value.
  • Preventing the spread of wild goats into new areas.
  • Controlling wild goat numbers elsewhere to reduce pressure on priority native ecosystems.

Contact

Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  01 August 2024

CCTV footage of the incident, which occurred on 26 July, shows a dark coloured four-wheel drive vehicle being driven along the beach at Dotterel Point at approximately 12.20 am. The vehicle driver’s actions cause the gulls to scatter, before the driver and vehicle are seen looping back along the beach.

Department of Conservation Principal Investigation Officer Hayden Loper says the carnage was quite confronting for rangers.

“The deaths of these protected birds were entirely avoidable, and it’s hit our team quite hard.”

The number of gulls killed suggests the birds were either resting or young and naïve enough to have had slow reactions to the threat posed by the driver and their vehicle.

“Red-billed gulls may seem commonplace, but they are listed as ‘at risk – declining’ and are absolutely protected under the Wildlife Act 1953. There is no excuse for this kind of behaviour,” says Hayden.

Extending from Pukehina Surf Rescue to the mouth of the Waihi estuary, Dotterel Point is a coastal dune providing habitat to many vulnerable species including New Zealand dotterel, variable oystercatchers, gulls, and lizards. Local community group Maketu Ongatoro Wetland Society have been working since 2012 to protect the fragile sandspit ecosystem.

The actions of the driver also violate Western Bay of Plenty District Council bylaws for appropriate vehicle beach access.

Hayden says it is believed the offending driver was behind the wheel of a dark coloured Toyota Hilux or similar vehicle, with a distinctive bull bar, and the driver may be a local resident.

“It seems they may have left through one of the smaller beach access points, indicating the driver is very familiar with the area.”

Although the footage has the driver and vehicle on the beach for approximately four minutes, covering 500 m, tracks further down the beach had disappeared with the tide; so the exact exit location is unknown.

Killing absolutely protected wildlife carries a maximum penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to $100,000, or both.

Anyone with further information regarding this incident should please call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) or email Investigations@doc.govt.nz quoting incident number CLE-7188.

Background information

• Local community group Maketu Ongatoro Wetland Society has been working to protect and monitor the fragile sandspit ecosystem of Dotterel Point since 2012 with a particular focus on vulnerable birds. Dotterel Point, Pukehina – Maketu Ongatoro Wetland Society 
• Dotterel Point serves as an important nesting area for shorebirds such as the New Zealand dotterel and is a known resting area for migrating birds such as ngutu pare/wrybills from the South Island, and international bar-tailed godwits/kuaka.
• Western Bay of Plenty District Council Bylaws

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