Shooters threaten witness to bird kill

An injured Godwit, Okaro Bay, Pouto Peninsula. Photo / Supplied

Hundreds of protected birds were killed and maimed in a shooting spree on the Kaipara Harbour.

A resident at remote Okaro Bay on the Pouto Peninsula saw a boatload of people arrive with automatic guns on February 27.

After randomly shooting up to 200 godwits, dotterels and oyster catchers they collected some and took them away. The others were left with injuries, including broken wings, to be eaten by cats and rats.

The Herald on Sunday understands the shooters threatened the resident that if he reported what happened his house would be burned down.

Resource management consultant Steve Westgate found two godwits with broken wings during a survey at the beach.

"I tried to pick one up and realised its wing was shattered."

Department of Conservation Dargaville area office manager Meirene Hardy-Birch said her staff collected 20 dead birds on March 1 for forensic analysis.

Three godwits, two oyster catchers and a lesser knot were taken to Whangarei's Native Bird Recovery Centre.

They were treated but the lesser knot and one of the godwits had to be put down.

DoC was particularly worried about the dotterel shootings because there are only about 1500 in New Zealand.

It wants to speak to the owners of a boat called Te Aki for help with the investigation.

"People are saying someone was really stupid and drunk and shot a whole lot of birds but we've yet to ascertain that."

Pouto residents were outraged their harbour was a "shooting ground for sport" and she pleaded for help to trace the culprits.

Each faces a fine of up to $100,000 and $5000 for every bird taken.

Forest and Bird marine advocate Karen Baird said the slaughter was likely an unsanctioned cultural harvest.

She understood the illegal practice occurred in remote parts of Northland.

Godwits were traditionally taken at this time of year because they were fattening up for migration to Siberia.

"These guys are cowboys, and it's unlikely their iwi would have agreed."

Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre manager Robert Webb said he didn't agree with cultural harvests.

"Why make excuses for a protected bird? What's the point in protecting it?"

Te Uri O Hau Settlement Trust's Deborah Harding said there was no way what happened at Okaro Bay was a cultural harvest. "These guys are way out of line and we would like to catch them as much as DoC and Forest and Bird. We are shocked that anyone should treat our taonga with such disrespect."

The chairman of Pouto based Waikaretu Marae, Patrick Lewis, said the marae had not sanctioned any harvest and didn't condone what had taken place.