“Until last year, we had very few reports of kiwi being killed by dogs. Then, in 2003, nine out of sixteen monitored kiwi in Te Urewera National Park were killed in ten months. In April of this year, a kiwi was killed by a dog in Kaweka Forest Park and now another bird killed near the Urutawa Conservation Area, indicating that the problem extends beyond the boundaries of the park,” Mr Williamson said.

“For this reason, we will start using legislation in the Conservation and Reserves Acts to control the taking of dogs into named Scenic Reserves, Conservation Areas and Forest Parks in this conservancy where there are ground-nesting birds. Staff are currently setting up a permit system to allow dogs used for hunting pigs and deer to be taken into these selected areas of public conservation land. Details of the new system will be publicised as soon as the work has been finalised.

“The crux of the issue is that while we recognise the contribution that hunters using dogs make to conservation by removing pests such as pigs from native forest, we cannot allow any further destruction of endangered ground-nesting birds such as kiwi, weka or whio. Following the introduction of the new permits, we will be very strict in enforcing dog controls and will prosecute irresponsible dog owners,” Mr Williamson said.

Controls being considered include the need for pig hunting dogs to have avian aversion training and for deer hunting dogs to be certified indicator dogs. All hunting dogs would need an identification brand or tattoo and would require inspection by a DOC officer as part of the permit process.

Controls relating to taking dogs into Te Urewera National Park are guided by the park management plan. Guide dogs, certified companion dogs and dogs used for other special services such as search and rescue or conservation management, may be taken into the park without a permit. Pig hunting dogs are allowed into certain areas of the park over winter months only if owners obtain permits that include a number of control requirements. No other dogs are permitted in Te Urewera National Park.

“Over the last few months we have reinforced the need for good control over dogs taken into the park in discussions with local pig hunting clubs. We have been very impressed with the number of responsible dog owners who have taken the opportunity to get kiwi aversion training for their dogs. In the Opotiki area, seventy pig dogs were trained in

avian aversion this autumn. Unfortunately, the latest kiwi death in the park was in the Otamatuna area which is off limits to pig dogs at all times. Clearly, in this case, we are dealing with an irresponsible owner, or one incapable of controlling their dog,” Mr Williamson said.

DOC will continue to remove stray dogs from the park on a regular basis. Traps are used in areas where dogs have been sighted and animals with no known owner may be handed to the local authority pound. Animals that pose a danger to staff may be destroyed.

“Responsible owners using well trained dogs provide an effective means of controlling pigs in conservation areas. But the use of hunting dogs in conservation areas can only be justified if the benefits outweigh the cost. We appeal to anyone who loses a dog in a conservation area or sees a lost dog in the bush, to please contact the nearest DOC office. Our vulnerable wildlife needs the help of all New Zealanders.

“Trained dogs used for hunting pests or finding monitored wildlife, are an important part of the effort to save our unique birds. But the emphasis must be on controlling dogs, as their natural instinct is to kill birds,” Mr Williamson said.

DOC kiwi information:
Paul Jansen - Phone: (04) 471 3236, or 025 410 026

DOC media liaison:
Jill Hudson - Phone: (06) 869 0460

Bank of New Zealand Kiwi Recovery Trust:
Kieron Goodwin - Phone: (09) 375 1084, or 029 478 4610