More witnesses needed to bird shooting

The endangered dotterel. Photo / Derek Flynn

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is hoping more witnesses will come forward as investigations continue into 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.

Visitor assets and historic ranger Awhi Nathan told NZPA he had received a couple of calls in response to his appeal for information but the people who came forward were not keen to give their name or stand up in court.

"We really need the names of anyone with information about the shooting and they have to be prepared to stand up in court and back up what they say, otherwise it's all just hearsay," he said.

"We're also trying to re-establish contact with the witness who came forward initially so we can get DOC's Conservation Law Compliance officers involved, so they can try some of their questioning techniques and try to preserve his identity."

Details of the calls from witnesses were passed on to Dargaville police.

"The police are prepared to help, but for that to happen we would need to lay a formal complaint," Mr Nathan added.

Similar bird shootings had been happening for several years, Mr Nathan said.

"Thousands of these birds are migrating and they stop here over the summer months to fatten up for their return flight to Siberia. That's the time they're getting shot. So we're looking at planning something for next year to stop it happening again."

Similar incidents have been reported north of Kaipara Harbour.

DOC principal compliance officer based in the Bay of Islands Ross Atkinson said there had been several convictions for shooting birds in the past.

The killings were usually planned, and the birds eaten.

"We haven't had any similar incidents reported this year to my knowledge. But that doesn't mean to say it's not happening," Mr Atkinson said.

The Kaipara shooting appeared to involve a group of people and although one person saw what happened, he was too afraid for his safety to come forward.

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

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

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

- NZPA