No Forests — No Kaka

Forest and Bird, Issue 250, 1 November 1988, Page 19

No Forests — No Kaka

Forest logging and clearance pose the greatest threat to the kaka. Scientific work by Colin O'Donnell and Peter Dilks shows that selective extraction of rimu and beech trees and a long-term logging rotation cycle in South Westland would be devastating for rare birds like the kaka. Despite the evidence, the logging option is favoured by the majority of the Working Party on South Westland including DSIR, Forestry Corporation, Ministry of Forestry, West Coast United Council and the Maori representatives. The loss of primary forest and the decline of kaka is best illustrated in the North Island. Here viable kaka populations, probably survive only on the larger Hauraki Gulf islands, Kapiti and a few large mainland forest blocks (Urewera-Whirinaki, Pureora, North Taranaki and beech forests of the axial ranges) which continue to be reduced in area by logging of private forest. The survival of South Island kaka will be ensured if the World Heritage forests of South Westland are protected and woodchipping in Southland, Marlborough, Nelson and North Westland ceases. But the North Island kaka may become an island exile, if forestry companies like Carter Holt Harvey continue to log away the last kaka strongholds in North Taranaki and NZ Forest Products woodchip more tawa forests of the central North Island.