The public are being invited to comment on the draft of a dog management strategy aimed at protecting kiwi being released by the Rimutaka Forest Park Trust into the park in May.

Developed by the Department of Conservation, the strategy proposes to strictly enforce legislation allowing the exclusion of dogs from forest parks, in this case within the 1000 hectare Turere stream catchment of the Rimutaka Forest Park, and in a 500 metre buffer surrounding it. Under the Conservation Act 1987, areas within the park can be closed to dogs for the protection of native species, or for management and research purposes.

DOC Poneke Area manager Peter Simpson said a plan by the Rimutaka Forest Park Trust to release up to 10 captive-bred North Island brown kiwi - from the Bank of New Zealand Kiwi Recovery - into the Turere stream catchment north of the Orongorongo Track was dependent on a dog control plan for the area. The trust chose this site to release kiwi because it is some distance away from the majority of dog walkers, yet still reasonably accessible for trapping. The trust has been controlling stoats and other predators in this area for two years, Mr Simpson said.

"However, before kiwi can be released it is important to ensure that dogs, as the main remaining predator do not pose a risk to them."
Mr Simpson said predation by introduced animals such as dogs was a significant factor in the decline of kiwi. The strong scent of kiwi, combined with their flightlessness, makes them vulnerable to dog attacks. Although the brown kiwi is still widespread in the central and northern North Island, surveys conducted during the 1990s revealed that numbers were dropping by 5.8 percent a year. There are now about only 80,000 kiwi left throughout New Zealand, 35,000 of which are brown kiwi.

As part of Bank of New Zealand Kiwi Recovery a four point strategy has been developed to preserve kiwi. This is being done by protecting nests in the wild from predators, raising chicks in captivity and releasing them into the wild when they are able to defend themselves from stoats and cats, conducting ongoing research into genetics, breeding and habitat requirements and seeking help from the community, especially in areas where kiwi are still found on private land.

The draft strategy and the kiwi release plan will be outlined at a public meeting on Monday, February 27 at 7.30pm at St Stephens Union Church, 106 Main Rd, Wainuiomata.
Public comment is sought by 4pm Friday, March 10 at the Department of Conservation’s Poneke Area Office, PO Box 5086, Wellington.

The draft strategy is available from.-
Catchpool Visitors Centre, Rimutaka Forest Park, Coast Rd, Wainuiomata
Old Government Building Conservation Information Centre, Lambton Quay, Wellington
Poneke Area Office, 2nd floor reception, 181 Thorndon Quay, Wellington
Main (Hutt City) Council Building, 30 Laings Road, Lower Hutt. Or it can be downloaded from here:
Rimataka_forest_park_strategy (PDF, 429K)

For further information:
DOC dog management strategy information: Rob Stone, ph: +64 4 472 5821
DOC kiwi information: Paul Jansen, ph: +64 4 471 3236
Rimutaka Forest Park Trust contact: Margaret Willard, ph: +64 4 9731378