Government invests $10 million to boost Auckland predator-free projects
The Government is pumping $10 million into Auckland’s predator-free push, with funding earmarked for island eradication projects and the region’s first urban mainland predator elimination programme.
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced the investment, which will be funded through the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) over five years, in Auckland’s Torbay this morning.
The funding forms part of the Government’s Predator Free 2050 programme and will support predator-free sanctuaries in Auckland, including Tiritiri Matangi and Shakespear Regional Park.
Potaka said the package would help “accelerate” predator eradication efforts while developing tools and expertise that could be applied elsewhere in New Zealand.
Planning for the region’s first urban mainland predator elimination project would also be supported through the new spending.
Appearing on Herald NOW‘s political panel with Labour MP Shanan Halbert, Potaka said the announcement will provide more support for the Predator Free Auckland initiative, praising the work already being done by the Next Foundation, council, iwi and community groups.
He said the funding will help drive their efforts “to eliminate rodents and mustelids and other naughty critters like feral cats from Auckland”.
“All rats and mice must go,” Potaka said.
“It’s not just the people in Ponsonby, my friend, it’s everywhere, but particularly in the central city isthmus.
“Out on the islands, people are doing some amazing work like Te Korowai o Waiheke, and as you probably know, I had some experience out at Motutapu and Rangitoto chasing stoats before I got in this game with Shanan.”
Halbert, also cousins with Potaka, welcomed the announcement, but said “it’s as good as it gets from the National Party”.
“I think my cousin there has forgotten that last budget, he actually cut the major budget into Predator Free 2050 companies.”
However, Potaka said Halbert’s portrayal “wrong” in that the initiative and associated funds were redirected into the Department of Conservation (DoC) when Predator Free 2050 Ltd was disestablished as part of a cost-savings push.
Builds on Wellington project
The Auckland package follows the Government’s recent five-year $5.5 million investment in Predator Free Wellington, which aims to remove introduced predators across 18,500ha around the capital.
Potaka told the Herald in March he hoped the Wellington programme would provide lessons that could be replicated elsewhere.
“We are committed to backing our environment and our economy at the same time,” he said.
“People aren’t coming to New Zealand to see feral cats or possums.
“They are coming into the country to enjoy our iconic scenery, but also get a taste of nature at its finest.”
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