New woes for flying fox estate: Rabbits and mice invade Stonefields estate's woes

Stonefields Playtime Park on Fynes Ave in Stonefields. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Rabbits and mice upsetting residents at Stonefields

First it was the flying fox and a kids' park full of sand, now a burgeoning population of rabbits and mice is causing problems at Auckland housing development Stonefields.

Hari Segar, chairman of the Stonefields Residents Association, said the animals were breeding on large areas of vacant land in the ex-quarry, invading people's homes and gardens and causing a nuisance.

"The rabbits are quite invasive and they multiply. The infestation is a major problem and they keep multiplying. There's just too many of them. A lot of people are complaining. Last summer, we had a lot of mice. They were all over the development because you're converting bare land into residential and the mice were here before us," Mr Segar said.

Shooting and poisoning had failed to control the populations and residents remained upset about the issue, he said.

Orakei Local Board chairwoman Desley Simpson said she had been told about the pests and was investigating but she knew of night-time rabbit shooting programmes on some of the maunga, including Mt Hobson, which she said were highly effective.

Yesterday, it was revealed residents had complained about kids squealing in the new Playtime Park, particularly on the flying fox.

Most of that park is covered in sand which blows on to decks, under doors, across footpaths and which pets use as a toilet, a resident complained.

RANTS & RAVES: Remove the flying fox

Mr Segar said rabbits were also prevalent around the wetland areas. A lack of shade at the four Stonefields parks was another problem which needed addressing and could cost about $100,000 to fix, he said.

But rapidly rising rates, a lack of carparking and cars parked over driveways were other serious issues at Stonefields, and although it was a great place to live, the issues needed to be resolved, he said.

Ms Simpson acknowledged parking was an issue and said it was partly the outcome of residential intensification. "If there's a community event, planners expect everyone to walk but actually they don't. They drive," she said.

In October, residents around Mt Wellington, Mt Albert, Mangere Mountain, Mt Hobson and Mt Richmond were notified that rabbit shooting was under way on the archaeological sites which rabbits damage by digging burrows and destroying vegetation.

A contractor was to carry out the shooting between midnight and 4am on weekdays, the residents were told.

Stonefields
• Rabbits and mice are causing problems at the housing estate
• They are breeding on large areas of vacant land in the ex-quarry
• Residents have also complained about kids squealing in the new Playtime Park
• Lack of parking space, cars parked over driveways and lack of shade at the parks are other issues.