Rat found on 'pest-free' Motuora Island

A rat has been found on "pest-free" Motuora Island and the Department of Conservation fears it may not have arrived alone.

The 80 hectare island, in the Hauraki Gulf near Warkworth, is a safe-haven for endangered species and home to an estimated 60 kiwis.

The rat was found yesterday, caught in one of the "sentry stations" set up to trap invading pests. It had been dead for roughly two weeks.

DOC staff are now concerned other rodents might have found their way on to the island and are expanding their trapping programme and bringing in a rodent detection dog.

Biodiversity programme manager Rory Renwick said the implications of a rat on the island were huge.

"We're planning for the worst case scenario.

"We are doing everything feasible to catch anything else that's there."

He said Motuora was too far for rats to swim and it was most likely the rat had arrived after stowing away on a visitor's boat, kayak or in a bag.

"Even though it was probably inadvertent, it is disappointing that someone's lack of understanding of the risks has resulted in us having a rat here.

"We are always reminding people to check their gear and boats for pests before landing on, or near, conservation islands."

- NZPA