Kawau Island pest eradication proposal

​Pest free Kawau Island

We proposed the concept of a pest free Kawau Island as part of the Regional Pest Management Plan 2020–2030 (RPMP).

When we asked Aucklanders for their thoughts on a pest free Kawau Island in 2018, we received a lot of positive feedback so we included it in the final RPMP.

About the project

We worked with Island Conservation to help assess the proposal's feasibility. Island Conservation engaged with the community to discuss:

• potential benefits
• potential risks
• views and values of the community.

Feasibility report

After the community engagement, we complied findings into a feasibility report. This report assessed the technical feasibility and social acceptability of removing wallabies, possums, rats and stoats from Kawau Island. It was released on 23 August 2023.

Island Conservation found it was technically feasible to remove introduced mammals, based on precedents established elsewhere. They also found there were high levels of community support for the concept of a pest free Kawau Island.

The report was peer reviewed by:

• Island Eradication Advisory Group
• Wallaby Technical Advisory Group
• Predator Free 2050
• Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust
• Pohutukawa Trust New Zealand.

The report is a step in an ongoing assessment and there will be further review points before a decision is made. 

Get a copy of the feasibility report

Pest free Kawau Island engagement

Following the release of the feasibility report, we hosted events in August and September 2023 to inform the Kawau Island community on the findings and provide an opportunity for questions.

We also asked for feedback on the report.

Pest free Kawau Island webinar

We held a webinar on the possibility of a pest free Kawau Island on 30 August 2023. A panel of experts discussed the report and answered questions.

Visit Assessing the feasibility of a pest free Kawau Island to watch the full webinar.

We also created a document that answers the questions we did not have time to address during the webinar.

​In-person engagement

We also held:

• four field trips to the pest free islands of Tiritiri Matangi and Rakino with the project team
• two drop-in sessions at Sandspit where residents, landowners and organisations were invited to speak to the project team.

Feedback summary report

We received a large number of responses from the Kawau Island community on the feasibility report. We analysed and compiled feedback into a  summary report, which was released on 30 November 2023.

Your feedback has shown strong support for:

• the concept of a pest-free Kawau Island and the importance of conservation work
• the need to act against introduced pests
• the biodiversity outcomes that removal of pest species would achieve.

Feedback also indicates some members of the community still hold some concerns, including:

• specific control methods, particularly the use of toxins
• controlling rather than removing wallabies
• recognising that additional community representation is important.

Get a copy of the feedback report

Changing the proposal

In response to your feedback, we now propose to remove pest animal species from Kawau Island in two stand-alone projects.

• Project one would focus on removing of wallabies and possums and is expected to take approximately two years.
• Project two remains in assessment phase, but would focus on predators (rodents and stoats, if present).

You can find more information about the first proposed project in our information guide and brochure.

Get a copy of our information guide and brochure

​Property permission process

Island Conservation will lead discussions with landowners on property access for the proposed wallaby and possum removal. Team members will meet with landowners to:

• discuss the project
• complete landowner agreements.

The agreements will include:

• written permission to access property
• content on specific concerns or safety considerations, particularly about people or pets.

More information

Email kawauislandproject@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to find out more on the pest free Kawau Island proposal.