DOC worker edits Wikipedia

BY DAVID WILLIAMS

Last updated 05:00 27/07/2009

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A Department of Conservation staffer has been deleting anti-1080 information from the Wikipedia online encyclopedia while at work.

A reference to films against the controversial poison drops was deleted on Friday from the "1080 usage in New Zealand" page of online encyclopaedia website Wikipedia.

A link to lobby group Stop 1080 Poison was also removed.

DOC's head office in Wellington confirmed the amendments were made from its computer network and the action breached the department's internet-use rules.

The department is now trying to identify who did it.

Christchurch man Alan Liefting set up the "1080 usage in New Zealand" page last September.

The sentences removed read: "Steve and Clyde Graf have produced two DVDs about the effects of 1080 on New Zealand wildlife. The first, A Shadow of Doubt released in 2006 and rated Adults Only (AO), is a 90-minute feature film. The second film, Paradise Poisoned, was released in July 2009."

Liefting, who is pro-1080, resurrected the culled information within half an hour.

The environmental science student took umbrage at the debate being "stifled" by "bad-faith editing".

"This is public servants wasting their time," he said. "It's not up to DOC employees to do this sort of thing."

The amendments were tracked to DOC through an internet protocol address.

DOC general manager of corporate services Grant Baker said the department had clear policies on the use of the internet and the roughly 1800 computers on its network.

"All staff are made aware of this as part of their induction process.

"DOC is currently trying to identify the computers involved and will take action where appropriate."

The debate over 1080 poison drops to control bird predators is highly emotive.

The Grafs' latest documentary has been shown by opponents at resource consent application hearings for possible drops.

Recent Wikipedia amendments from DOC's computer network include pages on stoats, the Milford Track and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender rights in New Zealand page.

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