Supercity ‘a threat’ to birds

The steadily rising kokako population in the Hunua Ranges could be under threat from the Auckland supercity.

Auckland Regional Council chairman Mike Lee says changes to the region’s southern boundary under the government’s Auckland Council plans could affect the Hunua kokako management project.

In 2008/09, the project reported 18 breeding pairs had set up home in the area.

Since the project, jointly managed by the Auckland Regional Council and Conservation Department, began 15 years ago at least 58 young are known to have been produced.

"In 1994 the council stepped in to save a tiny kokako population," Mr Lee says.

"This was outside the normal duties of a local body. But had we not intervened the population would have become locally extinct.

"At the time there was only one breeding pair left in the Hunua Ranges."

The project team contributes to a department recovery plan that aims to have at least 50 pairs of kokako in the ranges by 2020.

Regional council natural heritage scientist Dr Tim Lovegrove says that target is realistic "based on the rate of increase in the number of breeding pairs in the population to date".

But it means intensive pest control is needed on an 1100-hectare grid. This is supervised by two experts employed by the regional council, while park rangers and volunteers monitor the poison bait stations and traps.

Volunteers also monitor nests, birds and pest tracking tunnels. In the past year 50 volunteers dedicated 2090 hours to the project.

"As well as success with kokako we’ve seen increases in bellbird and kaka numbers, and a thriving population of hochstetter’s frogs in the ranges," Dr Lovegrove says.

But Mr Lee says the proposed changes to the southern boundary could affect the project and that does not sit well with his council.

"Not being able to guarantee the future of this programme causes us concern.

"The regional council has made its position on the proposed Auckland Council’s southern boundary clear to the government.

"If a significant part of the Hunua Ranges is carved off and entrusted to Environment Waikato this programme could be compromised."

- © Fairfax NZ News