Cats can be a bird's best friend in bush

No more than 5 cats may be kept on one property at one time in the Far North

Northland Cats in Balance says there is no need for curfews, compulsory neutering, registration and microchipping of cats.

Spokesman Klaus Kurz said the evidence presented at the Local Government NZ conference was unscientific and based on unsubstantiated, biased claims.

"New Zealand nature has become badly unbalanced, yet the impact of cats is much less significant than that caused by humans or the damage caused by pests such as rats, possums and stoats," he said.

"In fact if cats vanished some bird populations would actually take a nosedive. If a cat kills 10 rats it has actually saved the lives of hundreds of birds."

Northland Cats In Balance advocates much cheaper and more efficient ways of maintaining a natural balance, and cats would play an important part.

"Nearly half the households in New Zealand will be affected, and money that will be wasted by these new measures would be better spent on other, more critical social requirements," he said.

"We advocate TNRF - trap, neuter, return and feed - stray cats. Cats should not become scapegoats for the anti-cat brigade."

Meanwhile the Far North District Council was one of 51 per cent of local authorities to support the introduction of a cat management strategy.

Local Government New Zealand will now lobby the government to grant local authorities the power to introduce tighter controls for cats.

The remit, presented to the LGNZ annual conference by the Dunedin City Council, noted that councils were expected to promote responsible cat ownership and reduce feline impacts on wildlife, with powers limited to allowing for the 'purpose of minimising the impact on people's health and wellbeing.'

Proposed new controls included compulsory microchipping, de-sexing, locking cats at night and making them wear collars with bells.

Far North deputy Mayor Tania McInnes, who supported the remit, said it was a difficult and controversial topic.

"Cats, of course, are cherished by many people. The reality is though, wild and stray cats are a major issue across New Zealand, with real impacts on our wildlife, which can also include our pet moggies," she said.

"If we are serious about looking after our 'back yard' for future generations, then we will need to take brave steps to do this. It's a community discussion."

Cat management will be considered as part of the council's review of bylaws governing reserves and the keeping of animals, poultry and bees in 2018/2019.

The only current rule in the Far North is that no more than five cats or kittens over the age of three months may be kept on one property, although the council can prohibit them if it decides they are or are likely to become a nuisance or dangerous to people and wildlife.