KEY POINTS:
The Department of Conservation has caused an outcry with its plans to shoot two protected birds of prey so it can introduce three endangered kokako to the Hauraki Gulf island where the birds live.
The decision to kill two harrier hawks on Tiritiri Matangi has divided the bird sanctuary's 1800-strong supporters group. The Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi committee has approved the cull, but some members are angry.
It has even caused a rift at DoC - the island's ranger has refused to carry out the killing, saying he will resign first. Ian Price, ranger for four years, was not consulted on the decision to shoot the birds. He declined to comment yesterday.
DoC has now given a licence to Fish & Game NZ to destroy the birds next week.
A member of the supporters group told the Weekend Herald there was a lot of anger.
"It's absolutely appalling that they will do this. It's like the hawks are expendable and they are suffering because they are birds of prey."
Harrier hawks - one of only three native birds of prey - have been partially protected in New Zealand since 1985.
The three kokako being released are extremely rare. They are the last remaining offspring of the male Taranaki kokako gene.
DoC spokeswoman Liz Maire described it as a very difficult conservation decision. "We've weighed up the risk to a highly endangered bird versus the risk of removing a couple of harrier hawks which are not endangered."
She said the kokako would be particularly vulnerable as they were raised in captivity and would not realise the hawks were a danger.
The kokako release was supposed to happen today but has been postponed until next Saturday because of the weather.
