9 May, 2005
Environment Bay of Plenty has written to NZDA in response to our concerns, saying the Whiririnaki-Western Urewera aerial 1080 drop scheduled for this winter is likely to be postponed til next winter. This postponement is to "allow adequate time to consult with the local communities who will be directly affected by the proposed work" David Moore, Vector Manager of Environment Bay of Plenty says.
This is good news for deerstalkers and pig hunters, at least for the next year. Apparently only two NZDA branches responded. So great work Rotorua Branch, and the other NZDA branch, whoever you were.
The drop is funded by the Animal Health Board, and being carried out by Environment Bay of Plenty and the Hawke's Bay Regional Council. It is to reduce the density of Tb infected possums in the area, to stop the believed spread of Tb northwards in the Urewera-Raukumara forests. Feral pigs and deer are not being targeted, even though a deer and a pig taken in the West Waikaremoana area three years ago tested positive for Tb.
Environment Bay of Plenty has invited us to make full submissions on our concerns, which we will be doing. I urge all branches that use this area to register their concern, and state in detail their members' interest in hunting and taking for the table, deer and pigs in the area. Address submissions to David Moore, Vector Manager, Environment Bay of Plenty, Box 364, Whakatane; email: davidm@envbop.govt.nz
You should ask what measures are to be taken by the regional councils, if any, to reduce damage to the community's significant wild pig and deer hunting resource and food source. Get other hunting groups and individuals who use the area to do likewise.
Environment Bay of Plenty has also offered to talk to groups with an interest in hunting in the area. Contact David Moore, Environment Bay of Plenty, or Andrew Wilkie of the Hawke's Bay Regional Council to arrange a meeting. Let Dianne Brown at NZDA National Office know, so we can arrange National Executive members to come in support.
Good News: Haurangi Aerial 1080 drop likely to be postponed:
Now that the Minister of Conservation Chris Carter has decided that in appropriate circumstances, deer repellent bait can be used in recreational hunting areas, more time is needed to address this issue and consult with affected parties, the Animal Health Board believes. This means there is likely to be a delay til next year to allow the Wellington Regional Council, the agent for the Animal Health Board in Southern Wairarapa, to consult further on the operation. If this occurs, I encourage all branches whose members hunt in the Haurangis to get involved, or remain involved.
Almost the whole of the Haurangis is a recreational hunting area. It is one in which hunters have had no difficulty in keeping deer numbers controlled. So it should qualify for the use of deer repellent, as part of the Department of Conservation's statuary duty to foster recreation. At present we understand DOC Wellington conservancy is opposing the use of deer repellent.
Our thanks to Joe Hubmann of NZDA Wellington Branch, and other NZDA members, who have led the deerstalker negotiations for deer repellent to be used in the Haurangis. And to the Animal Health Board for being prepared to consult on deer repellent.
Dr Hugh Barr, NZDA National Advocate