DOC following leads in Kaipara bird massacre

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is following up several leads as it investigates the shooting of more than 100 protected birds at Northland's Kaipara Harbour.

The birds, which included godwits, knots and endangered dotterels, were shot at remote Okato Creek about February 27. Some were left to die.

DOC has said any information on the shooting could be given in confidence.

A prosecution could lead to fines of up to $100,000 and a jail term of up to six months.

Visitor assets and historic ranger Awhi Nathan told NZPA he had received a couple of calls today in response to his appeal for information.

"It's not forgotten, we are working on it.

"We had a telephone call today which gave us the lead and that's what we're working on now. The person didn't want to give his name, so we're keeping quiet about it for now," Mr Nathan said.

Details of the call have been passed on to Dargaville police.

The shooting appeared to involve a group of people.

"A boatload of shooters came into a secluded bay and let rip with what sounded like automatic shotguns," Mr Nathan added.

One person witnessed what happened but was too afraid for his safety to come forward.

Mr Nathan said there had been two other similar incidents, one where more than 20 birds were shot and shotgun casings and other items were forwarded to police, but the people responsible had not been located.

The latest incident was discovered by former Forest and Bird northern branch chairman Steve Westgate, who described it as callous.

"I was appalled to see the state of these birds, dragging their wings along the ground," he said of those left behind injured.

Deborah Harding, from local hapu Te Uri O Hau Settlement Trust, said the shooting was not a sanctioned cultural harvest.

- NZPA