NZDA requests:
1 Deer and wild pigs be removed from the Site-led pest category (Biodiversity), and placed in the list of “Species identified by KNE management”.
2 GW continue to facilitate recreational hunting of deer, wild pigs and goats in its own regional parks and forests, and involve NZDA Branches where possible, where they are interested, in recreational hunting to harvest deer, wild pigs and goats.
3 GW acknowledge in the RPMS that deer and wild pigs are a valued wild food and recreational resources for many of the region’s citizens. Using this resource is a way to make the region more sustainable.
4 GW provide more quantitative information in the RPMS, eg on KNEs, areas of threat, etc, to better inform the Region’s public as to the size of various threats, and how it intends to deal with them cost-effectively
5 Comment on the Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) and definition of deer/pigs as pests – to come, extension of time granted.
NZDA also requests that before EW carries out indiscriminate aerial 1080 drops, it holds meaningful consultation with the recreational public as to why these drops are needed, and how EW intends to minimise adverse by-kill of deer and feral pigs, and limit the stand-down period on recreational hunting from the drop.
Summary: NZDA Concerns with the WRC’s draft RPMS:
1. Deer and feral pigs not pests: NZDA opposes (wild) deer and feral pigs being “upgraded” to animal pests, because of their recreational value, and because no evidence is provided on why the “upgrade” is needed. WRC information re deer and pigs being pests is alarmist propaganda and just plain wrong. It needs correcting. The previous classification of deer and feral pigs should continue.
2. Inadequate information provided for public consultation: There is no adequate information on the reasons for animal pests being included, eg there is no benefit cost analysis, as required by S 72 (1) of the Biosecurity Act. The RPMS should be withdrawn, rectified and re-presented to the public. “Trust us” is not public consultation. As well there was minimal time for public consultation (less than 23 days), and it coincided with the “roar”, making it difficult for deerstalkers to participate.
3. Deer and feral pigs valued recreational and wild food species: These two animal species provide recreational enjoyment and meat for the table for the region’s citizens. They should be recognised as a community and recreation asset in the RPMS, just as farmed deer and pigs are. Ground control and bait stations should be used to protect them in poisoning operations in valued recreational hunting areas. If indiscriminate aerial poisoning is used, animal repellents to protect deer and pigs should be used, to reduce by-kill. When aerial poisons are used, NZDA is concerned at 6-9 month health stand-downs, which disrupt recreational hunting and food harvesting. The recreational hunting value of deer and feral pigs in the Waikato region is significant, and should be recognised in this RPMS.
4. Recreational hunters can help WRC manage deer, feral pigs: There are large numbers of recreational hunters that could assist WRC if any deer or feral pig management was needed. Though NZDA doubts this would be the case, it would save regional ratepayers some rates.
5. NZDA opposes the proposed doubling the cost of pest control: No good reasons why this massive increase in biosecurity expenditure is needed. It looks like staff on an empire building binge. NZDA opposes this misuse of the Council’s rates.
Conclusion:
Consequently the Wayne Fraser research shows deer and pigs are not normally viewed as pests, but as valued species. There are many more animals that rank more highly as pests than deer and pigs. NZDA proposes ARC put more effort into the species New Zealanders really worry about, eg wasps, rats, mustelids, rabbits etc.
It seems to NZDA that this ARC “crusade” against valued big game animals is against both the desires of the majority of Auckland citizens, and against the interests of Auckland Region ratepayers.
Wild deer and feral pigs have a high recreational value in this region. Consequently, they are at low densities, eg on public lands. This high positive value and controlled density outweighs any negative value they may have on private land biodiversity. Public conservation land control lies primarily with DOC. So deer and pigs should not be “site led pests”.
NZDA’s main interest is in valued recreational wild animals, specifically the various species of deer – Red, Sika, Fallow in Hawke’s Bay, as well as wild/feral pigs.
Hawke’s Bay is a very attractive area for deerstalking, having many areas of public conservation land on which deerstalking is available eg Ruahine and Kaweka Forest Parks, Urewera National Park, and many smaller areas of public conservation land.
There are six NZDA Branches in Hawke’s Bay – Napier, Hastings, Tutira, Ruahine (Dannevirke), Kaweka, Bush (Pahiatua), Wairoa and a number on the boundary - Taihape, Taupo, Wairarapa, Manawatu. Other deerstalkers in the North Island also go to the Hawke’s Bay mountains to hunt eg Aucklanders, Waikato and Bay of Plenty to Urewera National Park, Taranaki stalkers to the Kawekas and Ruahines.