Eradicating Kiore

Forest and Bird, Issue 306, 1 November 2002, Page 3

Eradicating Kiore

PROF.

University

JOHN L. CRAIG,

When Europeans arrived in New Zealand kiore was the only resident rodent. Now only two islands still represent that ‘old New Zealand’; Hauturu/Little Barrier is one and kiore have been identified for eradication. Kiore are predators and research shows two factors have exacerbated their effects on many islands. Firstly, cessation of Maori harvesting for food and secondly increased forest clearance by pakeha; both allowing numbers to explode. Although eradication will protect biodiversity, Ngatiwai who are kaitiaki of the kiore have requested monitored trial harvests in order to protect a rare cultural ecosystem and biodiversity: a win-win solution! With colleagues, I wrote to the Department of Conservation in 1989 requesting retention of a minority of islands that only ever

had kiore, as these represented a unique part of both Pakeha and Maori history — New Zealand when Cook arrived. We requested a plan that identified sites for eradication and sites for retention as kiore-only ecosystems. After 13 years we still await resolution! Eradication of kiore from Hauturu will eliminate important history and raises other legal and cultural issues. As a conservation scientist, as a fourth generation New Zealander, and as an advisor to Ngatiwai during most meetings with DoC on Hauturu, I am offended that this decision to eradicate has been achieved through polemics and power rather than reasoned debate. A civilised, bicultural nation doesn’t act this way.

of Auckland. See Michael Lee’s account of the kiore on page 11.