KEY POINTS:
A controversial plan to drop rat poison on the eastern Bay of Islands has been given the go-ahead.
The Department of Conservation wants to eradicate mice and rats from the Ipipiri islands _ which include the popular Roberton and Urupukapuka islands _ so they can be repopulated with native species such as kakariki and North Island robin.
A Northland Regional Council hearings committee, chaired by councillor Craig Brown, this week approved an application by the Director-General of Conservation to drop 15.5 tonnes of brodifacoum poison on the islands as part of "Project Island Song".
The poison bait will be dropped by helicopter over two days on two separate occasions between June and October next year.
The resource consent application attracted 53 submissions, almost all in support.
The plan is backed by Guardians of the Bay of Islands and hapu Patukeha and Ngati Kuta.
Opponents were concerned at the possible effect on wildlife, the transfer of poison from the island by game birds, and whether there would be adequate signs warning of the poison.
All submitters agreed eradication of rodents was necessary to restore the island's native wildlife.
The committee said steps could be taken to cut the risk of poison spread, including a ban on collecting kai moana within 100m of the shore and placing warning signs on landing areas and boat ramps.
Patukeha spokesman Richard Witehira greeted the decision with joy and relief.
"It's about time we did something about the problem. Now DoC have made sure all bases have been covered."
He said the main concern iwi had related to poison falling in the sea, but DoC had allayed those worries.
"There'll always be some people who'll be disappointed ... it's not a perfect world. I'd like to point out that the majority of hapu in the eastern Bay of Islands supported it."
"I'd like to see [the islands] restored back to the days of my ancestors when the ecosystems were still intact.
"They're an icon for all New Zealanders and visitors shouldn't have to put up with all the vermin running indiscriminately on the islands."
- NORTHERN ADVOCATE
