Kawau project news

Introduction
Contact details
Latest newsletter
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Read the latest and past newsletters for the Kawau Island pest eradication project.

Photo credit: Jude Hynes

Introduction

The success of this programme, initially and long term, depends on the support and involvement of Kawau Island’s community. Auckland Council is committed to working with you, keeping you up to date and listening to your feedback.

This is your page to keep up with all the important news on the Kawau Island pest eradication programme and some of the environmental outcomes we hope to celebrate in the future.

Email us to sign up for the project newsletter. See the operational updates section for the latest information.

Contact details

Email us at kawauislandproject@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or phone (09) 301 0101.

Latest newsletter - October 2026

Kawau Island multi-species eradication project - Working towards a pest free Kawau Island

Possum programme has resumed

With support from Te Rōpu Whakahaere, the interagency and mana whenua co-ordination group responsible for oversight of the wallaby and possum programme, the resumption of activities unrelated to the ongoing investigation of the serious hunting incident recommenced on 25 September. This includes a range of low-risk maintenance and preparation activities including checking SD cards from the camera network, installation of temporary fencelines and maintenance of existing fencelines, and the resumption of the possum control programme including:

• The use of indicator dogs to confirm presence and/or absence of possums

• The use of traps in areas where the dogs have confirmed presence

• Where live capture traps have been used, or a possum is detected in a tree, the day-time use of firearms to dispatch the possum.

To date, the possum team have removed 143 possums following detection by indicator dogs and through trapping. While the operation has transitioned from knockdown to mop-up and defence stages in many blocks, there are some specific areas, particularly in the north of the island where reinvasion continues. This is occurring primarily through valleys that provide corridors to prime possum habitat, where food sources are in plentiful supply. Throughout the southern part of the island, possum densities have been successfully reduced to low levels, with only a small number of remaining possums requiring targeted mop-up efforts.

Moving ahead: planned Feratox operation as we approach the milestone of becoming possum free

We are planning to deliver a Feratox operation (encapsulated potassium cyanide) within the northern half of the island (Blocks 7, 9 and 10) in select areas where high possum activity has been identified by the possum detection dog team, or within corridors that present a high risk of reinvasion. Targeted Feratox application will no longer proceed in Block one during this operation, as the possum detection dog team were unable to pinpoint recent possum sign or foraging activity in the area that our fixed camera network last recorded the single possum survivor. The project team will refocus their efforts on increasing monitoring effort in block one over the coming months and if any new activity is discovered, we will revisit at a later date.

The operation in the northern half of the island will continue as planned. Refer to figure 1 for the treatment map for blocks 7, 9 and 10 below.

Feratox is a fast-acting or acute toxin that is primarily used in this programme to target possums. The Feratox pellets will be contained within raised Romark bait stations and/or Strikers (refer to Figures’ 1 and 2) approximately 1.3 metres above the ground on properties where permission has been granted. Refer to Figures’ 3 and 4 for maps of the proposed treatment areas. The toxin application will support the ongoing trapping efforts to eradicate possums from Kawau Island.

Feratox Striker Romark Bait Stations With A Hinged Lid Will Contain Blue Cyanide Pellets Inset Rolled In A Non Toxic Lure.

▶ Figure 1 (left): Feratox Striker (potato starch single-use bait station).

▶ Figure 2 (right): Romark bait stations (with a hinged lid) will contain blue cyanide pellets (inset) rolled in a non-toxic lure.

Key information:

• The operation is scheduled to take place between 9 November and mid-December during suitable weather windows. The windows will be timed to avoid school and public holidays.

• A non-toxic pre-feed of cereal bait is underway to familiarise possums with cereal bait as a food source.

• Public health conditions including exclusion zones and setbacks from residential areas will continue to apply along with setbacks from ground-based domestic water supplies within or downstream of treatment areas.

• Visit the project website conservationauckland.nz/kawau-island for operational updates, Kawau news, and key safety information.

▶ Figure 3: Proposed Northern Feratox treatment area: Blocks 7, 9 and 10

We have uploaded two important factsheets to the project website for the Feratox operation:

• Information for Landowners, Residents and Visitors to Kawau Island – Feratox Operation

• Protecting Your Dog During Pest Control Operations – Feratox Operation

These documents contain key details about:

• What methods will be used.

• What to expect if your property is within the treatment area.

• How to keep yourself, your family, visitors, and pets safe. Toxins can be deadly to people and dogs. Visitors and residents of Kawau Island must avoid contact with baits. Dogs in close proximity to the treatment area must be supervised at all times. There is a low risk of secondary poisoning to dogs that consume possum carcasses, however the bait itself is lethal if ingested

• Who to contact in an emergency or if you have concerns. 

More information is available on our website Tiaki Tāmaki Makaurau | Conservation Auckland conservationauckland.nz/kawau-island or email us kawauislandproject@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or phone Auckland Council on 09 301 0101.

View from Kawau Island on a sunny day with a blue sky and a few clouds, with Hauturu / Little Barrier Island in the distance.

Looking out to Hauturu / Little Barrier Island from Kawau Island

Photo credit: Jude Hynes

Community Forum Meeting on 28th October

Learn more about the possum programme, including the upcoming Feratox operation at the next community forum meeting, scheduled for Wednesday 28 October at 7:30pm. Register via the zoom link https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/GtLzsB7VQveJnCWxrIes-A

Interconnection between land and sea: eDNA Coastal Monitoring presentation 4th November

IslandScope is a global initiative led by Island Conservation that uses environmental DNA (eDNA) to better understand the connections between land and sea. In late July, Dr. Grace Klinges, a molecular ecologist specializing in the use of genetic tools to measure ecosystem change, worked with interested members of the Kawau Island community to better understand local priorities for marine detection and to produce information relevant to long-term stewardship of the Hauraki Gulf. Those who were able to join Grace in the field at Mansion House Bay, received a demonstration on the use of the eDNA monitoring kits and participated in local marine sampling efforts. This was followed by hot refreshments, soup and scones at the Mansion House Café, courtesy of Maree at Mansion House Café.

The samples were sent away for analysis at Wilderlab and we would like to invite the Kawau Island community to join Grace online on Wednesday 4 November at 7pm, where she will present a snapshot of the biodiversity living in and around Kawau's shorelines, as well as further analyses she has completed to assess functional roles of organisms found on Kawau. These findings will provide a better understanding of our coastal environment and contribute to future conservation and stewardship

Weeding working bee at Mansion House Bay

Staff from Auckland Council and Department of Conservation came together in September at Mansion House Bay to tackle some of the many pest plants present within the Historic Reserve. A group of 12 enthusiastic volunteers enjoyed a great day out and successfully cleared a range of weed species, including privet, boneseed, Australian cabbage palm, woolly nightshade, sweet shrub pea, monkey apple, arum lily, fan palm, black wattle, lantana, and fairy crassula.

This was the first collaborative weed control event between the two organisations, with opportunities for future joint efforts already being explored. In the meantime, community members interested in helping control pest plants within the Kawau Island Historic reserve are encouraged to get in touch with the DOC Rangers. Practical training in weed identification and the safe use of tools and herbicides can be provided, making this a great opportunity to develop useful conservation skills while contributing to the protection of Kawau Island's natural environment.

Anyone interested in getting involved can contact the Kawau Island DOC Rangers at KawauIsland@doc.govt.nz or 021 289 9500.

Pest Prevention first

Stopping pests getting to Kawau is the most effective way to protect the special qualities of the island. Bulk quantities of plants, soil and other transported goods such as recycled building materials moved to Kawau pose a risk but are also an opportunity to help create a pest-free future for the island if a few simple biosecurity actions are taken before transportation. Check, clean and close bags tightly. Use a pest free warranted operator as they have met DOC and council’s biosecurity standards for visiting islands in the Hauraki Gulf (https://www.doc.govt.nz/pest-free-warrant-holders). For further advice or to enquire about biosecurity inspections, email Auckland Council at: biosecurity@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz