New Zealand's native birds and plants are a treasured part of our identity and a cornerstone of our natural environment. We use symbols of the kiwi and the silver fern to represent our country, and our native species are a source of national pride.
Yet many of our most threatened native animals come under constant attack from introduced predators such as rats, stoats, ferrets and possums. These animals kill about 25 million native birds a year at a cost of about $3.3 billion to the primary sector, and are the most significant cause of the decline of threatened species.
The predator-free project will have major benefits for the primary sector - possums and ferrets are the main carriers of bovine TB, a destructive disease for cattle and deer.
Predators have been roaming forests and destroying our natural environment for decades. The predator-free plan is a comprehensive, long-term approach to the problem, which relies on the support of communities and organisations.
Predator Free NZ will match government resources with that of local government, community groups, iwi and philanthropists to develop eradication schemes.
Not only will the initiative help restore our native birds and boost our agricultural industry, it's also set to improve the health of our forests and reinforce our trade and tourism brand.
The target builds on the work being done to protect native species. Pest control is at an all-time high, and earlier this year we committed over $20 million to New Zealand's biggest ever pest control operation, Battle for our Birds. Achieving a predator-free country is the next step in our conservation journey.
The project will require a huge effort from our communities, but the end result will be worth it and there are other benefits, too. It's great news for our agricultural sector. It will bring together the resources of lead government agencies like the Department of Conservation and the Ministry for Primary Industries to work in partnership with local communities.
This initiative will encourage many individuals and businesses - especially farmers - to ramp up their own efforts to eradicate pests. There are plenty of farmers who are already heavily involved in endeavours to deal with the possum population, and you just need to visit Kapiti Island to appreciate the benefits of pest eradication.
To be predator-free by 2050 is an ambitious target - but if we work together we can make it happen.
