EPA Report: Verified Source: Pestlink Operational Report for Possum, Ship rat Control in the Pirongia - Te Kauri (Aug-Sep 2014)

22 Aug 2014 - 23 Sep 2014 30/01/2015 Department of Conservation Base - Hamilton Contents

1. Operation Summary ...... 2 2. Introduction ...... 3 2.1 TREATMENT AREA ...... 3 2.2 MANAGEMENT HISTORY ...... 6 3 Outcomes and Targets ...... 6 3.1 CONSERVATION OUTCOMES ...... 6 3.2 TARGETS ...... 6 3.2.1 Result Targets ...... 6 3.2.2 Outcome Targets ...... 6 4 Consultation, Consents & Notifications ...... 7 4.1 CONSULTATION ...... 7 4.2 CONSENTS ...... 8 4.3 NOTIFICATION ...... 8 5 Methods ...... 8 5.1 TARGET SPECIES ...... 8 5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ...... 17 5.2.1 Effects on Non-Target Species ...... 17 5.2.2 Effects on Soil and Water Quality ...... 17 5.2.3 Effects on Ecosystems ...... 17 5.2.4 Effects on Human Health ...... 17 6 Monitoring Results and Outcomes ...... 18 6.1 RESULT MONITORING - TARGET SPECIES ...... 18 6.2 RESULT MONITORING - ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ...... 19 6.3 OUTCOME MONITORING ...... 20

1. Operation Summary

Operation Name Possum, Ship rat control in Pirongia - Te Kauri (Aug-Sep 2014) Operation Date 22 Aug 2014 - 23 Sep 2014

Area Office Te Rapa Base, Hamilton Region Northern Pestlink Reference 1415WAI02 Treatment Area Size (ha) Pirongia - Te Kauri (Aug-Sep 2014) 13780.00(PCL), 1709ha (Pvte) Conservation Unit Name(s) GA Id(s) Te Kauri Park Scenic Reserve 2794962 Pirongia Forest Park 2795307

Treatment Block Details Treatment Blocks Size (ha) Council adjoining (priority possum 703.00 buffer) Pirongia 12769.00 Te Kauri Park Scenic Reserve 1011.00 Private lands adjoining 1709.00 (priority possum buffer)

Contractor Name Vector Control Services Limited (VCS)

Treatment Dates Start Completion Pirongia 22 Aug 2014 22 Sep 2014 Private lands adjoining 22 Aug 2014 22 Sep 2014 (priority possum buffer) Te Kauri Park Scenic 22 Aug 2014 23 Sep 2014 Reserve Waipa District Council adjoining (priority possum 22 Aug 2014 22 Sep 2014 buffer)

Target Pest Details Target Treatment Blocks Control Method Name Pests Pirongia Possum, Pesticide Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Pirongia- Ship rat (4) Pirongia Possum, Pesticide Hand Pesticide - Hand Laying in Ship rat Laying Pirongia-(2) Private lands Possum, Pesticide Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Pirongia-(5)

Pestlink Ref: 1415WAI02 Page 2 of 20 Date Printed: 02 Feb 2015 adjoining (priority Ship rat possum buffer) Te Kauri Park Scenic Possum, Pesticide Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Te Kauri Reserve Ship rat Park Scenic Reserve-(3) Waipa District Possum, Pesticide Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Pirongia-(2) Council adjoining Ship rat (priority possum buffer) Waipa District Possum, Pesticide Hand Pesticide - Hand Laying in Council adjoining Ship rat Laying Pirongia-(1) (priority possum buffer)

Conservation Outcome(s) The Pirongia Conservation Park is an ecologically significant site, so will therefore benefit from a sustained reduction of possum densities by allowing conservation values to recover or regenerate. The management objective is to protect and retain indigenous ecosystems, species and habitats, including native fish and montane forest. Result Target(s) Treatment Area/Block What we got • Less than 3% RTCI Pirongia 0.48% +/- 0.7% for area covered by the aerial operation

• Less than 5% Te Kauri Park Scenic 28% Tracking Tunnel Reserve index for rats (measured in Te Kauri Park only)

Outcome Targets What we got • There is no outcome target specified for this site

2. Introduction

2.1 TREATMENT AREA

Non-target species Common Name Scientific Name

Sheep Ovis aries Cattle Bos taurus Dog Canis familiaris

Pestlink Ref: 1415WAI02 Page 3 of 20 Date Printed: 02 Feb 2015 Target benefit species Common Name Scientific Name Kamahi, tawheo, tawhero, Weinmannia racemosa tawherowhero

Kohekohe Dysoxylum spectabile - Metrosideros robusta Woodrose Dactylanthus taylorii

Threatened species Common Name Scientific Name Chalinolobus tuberculatus Long-tailed bat (North Island) (North Island) North Island kaka, bush Nestor meridionalis parrot, brown parrot, kawkaw septentrionalis

Woodrose Dactylanthus taylorii Bush falcon, Karearea Falco novaeseelandiae "bush" pigeon, Kereru Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae Yellow-crowned Parakeet, Cyanoramphus auriceps Kakariki

Geographical location The Pirongia - Te Kauri (Aug-Sep 2014) is situated 25km km SW of Hamilton. TREATMENT BLOCK DETAILS: Treatment block Waipa District Council adjoining (priority possum buffer) Vegetation type Native bush, exotic pine plantation, scrublands Bioclimatic zone montane lowland Climate characteristics: Rainfall 1052 mm Temperature: Average Summer 19.0

Average Winter 12.0 Snow level 600 m Altitude 40 to 400 m

Community and Iwi Waipa Mountain Biking Club has trails on Waipa DC land at interests Sainsbury Road. The water supply dam and facilities are located on Waipa DC land. Historic sites Nil Treatment block Pirongia

Vegetation type The altitudinal vegetation sequence is rimu/tawa/kohekohe forest - rimu and or rata/tawa forest - forest dominated by

Pestlink Ref: 1415WAI02 Page 4 of 20 Date Printed: 02 Feb 2015 kamahi, tawheowheo and tawari. The change to upland forest occurs on average at 650m asl. With increasing altitude, kamahi, tawari and tawheowheo become more prominent until at 750 metres tawa is all but absent. Above 800m the rimu has gone and the canopy comprises of dense kamahi, tawari and tawheowheo, with scattered Hall's totara, miro and rata (Clarkson et al. 2002). Bioclimatic zone lowland montane sub-montane Climate characteristics: Rainfall 2600 mm Temperature: Average Summer 17.0

Average Winter 11.0 Snow level 0 m Altitude 50 - 959 m

Aramiro Station has tracts of both native and exotic forests to Community and Iwi the north, contiguous with Pirongia FP. Regional interests Council has negotiated with the Trust to aerially treat of some of these lands, the remainder will be picked up by ground control methods. Pirongia Mountain has featured in the traditions and history of the Tainui tribes for many generations. A number of tracks from Historic sites Kawhia to inland areas crossed the mountain, although some were abandoned (Pirongia State Forest Management Plan). Treatment block Te Kauri Park Scenic Reserve Typical highland coastal forest. Two substantial stands of kauri Vegetation type are the southern most naturally growing in New Zealand. Bioclimatic zone lowland semi-coastal Climate characteristics: Rainfall 2600 mm Temperature: Average Summer 19.0

Average Winter 12.0 Snow level 0 m Altitude 50 - 274 m The Hamilton Junior Naturalists own a lodge adjoining Te Kauri Park SR and run school groups and holiday camps in the Community and Iwi reserve from this lodge. As part of the educational package interests offered at Te Kauri Park, an extensive array of monitoring is offered for school groups to take part in. There are several public walking tracks through the reserve. Some hunting takes

Pestlink Ref: 1415WAI02 Page 5 of 20 Date Printed: 02 Feb 2015 place in and around the reserve for pigs and goats and there is a small number of red deer on the edge that are likely to attract interest. The Te Kauri-Wiakuku Trust is affiliated to the Junats and have a vested interest in the educational program and the Kawaka Pest Management Block located within the Te Kauri Park SR. Historic sites Historic Pa site. Treatment block Private lands adjoining (priority possum buffer) Vegetation type Native forest, exotic pine plantation and scrub lands Bioclimatic zone lowland montane Climate characteristics: Rainfall 1052 mm Temperature: Average Summer 19.0

Average Winter 12.0 Snow level 600 m Altitude 40 to 400 m Aramiro Station is owned and run by iwi as are the Community and Iwi Waiwhakaata Blocks, however, no known owners for the latter interests could be found. Historic sites Nil

2.2 MANAGEMENT HISTORY Management history was not chosen to be shown in this operational report. This history is, however, available via Pestlink

3 Outcomes and Targets 3.1 CONSERVATION OUTCOMES The Pirongia Conservation Park is an ecologically significant site, so will therefore benefit from a sustained reduction of possum densities by allowing conservation values to recover or regenerate. The management objective is to protect and retain indigenous ecosystems, species and habitats, including native fish and montane forest. 3.2 TARGETS 3.2.1 Result Targets The result targets for the treatment area were: • Less than 3% RTCI for area covered by the aerial operation

• Less than 5% Tracking Tunnel index for rats (measured in Te Kauri Park only)

3.2.2 Outcome Targets The outcome targets for the treatment area were:

Pestlink Ref: 1415WAI02 Page 6 of 20 Date Printed: 02 Feb 2015 • There is no outcome target specified for this site

4 Consultation, Consents & Notifications 4.1 CONSULTATION During the planning stages for this operation, it was agreed the successful tenderer would be responsible for consulting with adjoining landowners. The Contractor produced an introductory letter, map and fact sheet and visited all landowners at least once. A Record of Discussion form was used to record the affected parties’ views, property boundary issues, water supply type and location, stock, dog or fencing issues and any agreements made, including the offer of muzzles and emetics for dogs, free of charge.

Where required, VCS obtained access permission from landowners in writing.

All iwi consultation was undertaken by DOC staff. In November 2013, an introductory letter to iwi was prepared and sent out along with two DVDs and brochures on 1080. In July and August 2014, DOC staff personally visited kaumatua from affected marae. Each consultation was documented using a Consultation Record Form and transferred to the Communications Plan.

DOC staff consulted with representatives of the Waikato Branch NZ Deer Stalkers Association, The NZ Bow Hunters and the Dinsdale Pig Hunting Club. By agreement, the latter was supplied with a map(s) of the Waikato region showing areas where Club members could hunt until the recommended caution period for Pirongia FP and Te Kauri SR expired.

DOC staff undertook all consultation with Waipa District Council, negotiating conditions of acceptance which were documented in a Permission to Proceed with the Operation letter. This included the honouring of a 31.4ha aerial toxic exclusion zone and 50 metre buffer zone either side of the Mangauika Stream catchment (the Te Awamutu water supply), a water testing programme with tests for residual 1080 at 6, 12 and 24 hours after the toxic drop and further sampling at 6, 12 and 24 hours after the first significant rain event that caused stream turbidity to rise above 0.8 NTU, depicting increased run-off from tributaries and possible washing of baits into the water course.

WRC were notified by the Maori Land Court at Hamilton on 25/03/14 that no known owners for the Waiwhakaata Blocks could be located. These blocks were subsequently flown under WRC's Bio-security Act powers. Consultation outcomes While kaumatua were unanimous in their support for this operation, not all landowners agreed, with several objecting to and refusing to sign the Record of Consultation. The Department provided temporary electric fence components to three landowners whose

Pestlink Ref: 1415WAI02 Page 7 of 20 Date Printed: 02 Feb 2015 boundary fences were insecure. Lessons learned Contracting out landowner consultations was a significant help to a small project team with limited time resources and a tight timeframe to manage. 4.2 CONSENTS Consent Consent date File Reference Permission ID Population Health Consent NHT-02-05-23- 13/06/2014 VTA-2014-319 (Aerial) 02 Population Health Consent NHT-02-05-23- 13/06/2014 VTA-2014-329 (Ground) 02 Resource Consent - discharge NHT-02-05-23- 16/06/2014 AU132288.01.01 to land Pirongia and Te Kauri 02 Resource Consent - discharge NHT-02-05-23- 16/06/2014 AU132289.01.01 to land Waiwhakaata Blocks 02 Waipa District Council NHT-02-05-23- 14/04/2014 P11768-07-03 Permission to Proceed 02

Lessons learned Placing responsibility on the Contractor to obtain both Population Health and Resource Consents considerably lightened the load of the project team. 4.3 NOTIFICATION Written notice of the operation was sent to all parties consulted and the public notified by advertisement in local newspapers. All landowners, and others who requested it, were notified 24 hours prior to the pre-feed and toxic drops.

DOC and WRC placed three separate advertorials in local newspapers explaining the reasons for the operation, why aerial 1080 was chosen as the preferred method, general safety information for the public, effects on dogs and a map of the operational area. Lessons learned Timely meetings to enable the planning, drafting and proofing of advertorial material for submission to media agents is essential.

5 Methods 5.1 TARGET SPECIES

Treatment Block Pirongia Control method Name Target pest species Pesticide - Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Possum Pirongia-(4) Ship rat Pesticide - Hand Laying Pesticide - Hand Laying Possum in Pirongia-(2) Ship rat

Pestlink Ref: 1415WAI02 Page 8 of 20 Date Printed: 02 Feb 2015 Target Treatment Control Method Name Pest Block Species Pirongia Pesticide - Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Pirongia-(4) Possum Ship rat

Trade name of pesticide 0.15% 1080 Pellets RS5 Name of pesticide Sodium fluoroacetate Type of bait Cereal pellet Toxic loading 1.5 g/kg Bait quality sampling Not Conducted Bait Details Pre-feed Toxic Bait type Cereal pellet Cereal pellet Lure/ mask/ deterrent Cinnamon Cinnamon Lure/ mask/ deterrent 1.50% 3.00% Dye None Green Individual Bait Weight 6.0g 12.0g

Sowing Rate Details Pre-feed Date Rate(kg/ha) Wind Speed Direction 22/08/2014 2.00 Light SW 23/08/2014 2.00 Light SW

Toxic Date Rate(kg/ha) Wind Speed Direction 22/09/2014 2.00 Light SW

Time between pre-feed and 30 toxic

End of Caution Period Date 22/06/2015 Aircraft type Squirrel AS 350 Number of Aircraft 2 Sowing gear details Description Capacity Standard broadcast/sowing bucket with non- 600 kg retractable legs

Type of navigational guidance Satloc GPS & ArcMAP

system used Loading Method 4x4 front-end loader

Complaints and Incidents One complaint received after a landowner discovered a dead fallow deer (feral) on farm property near Te Mata. Several newspaper articles and Youtube documentaries

Pestlink Ref: 1415WAI02 Page 9 of 20 Date Printed: 02 Feb 2015 opposing the operation and use of 1080. No actual incidents reported. Other Details about this method Helicopter landing sites Te Uku and Mangati Rd were used for pre-feed application, VTA was flown from Te Uku only. Mt Hutt helicopters provided two machines and support staff. All main walking tracks on Pirongia were cleared of baits and carcasses by VCS staff within 24 hours of VTA application and again on 25 September. DOC staff cleared baits and carcasses from the Makomako Track, Kaniwhaniwha Campground environs and Nikau Walk. Deviations from planned operation The original Te Uku landing site closed for lambing on 31 August. Access to an alternative site to the east was negotiated with a landowner and all VTA operations were conducted from there. The original plan to trickle feed bait to within 50m of the boundary was suspended after the project team was advised to take a more cautionary approach. Acting on informed advice, the sowing rate was reduced to 2kg/ha and trickling of the boundary forfeited in favour of broadcast application of baits to 100m from the boundary. Trickle bucket application was only used around the Pahautea Hut, in acute boundary situations (narrow sections/tight corners) and to fill holes identified from GPS flight line data. Lessons Learned Consider farming calendar (lambing/calving) when negotiating access with landowners. VCS track clearing staff said the number of dead rats they removed from the Pirongia tracks was the highest ever encountered. Pest contractors around the Waikato also report very high rat numbers, a consequence of heavy fruiting/seed production throughout the region.

Target Treatment Control Method Name Pest Block Species Pirongia Pesticide - Hand Pesticide - Hand Laying in Possum Laying Pirongia-(2) Ship rat

Trade name of pesticide 0.15% 1080 Pellets RS5 Name of pesticide Sodium fluoroacetate Type of bait Cereal pellet Toxic loading 1.5 g/kg Bait quality sampling Not Conducted Bait Details Pre-feed Toxic Bait type Cereal pellet Cereal pellet Lure/ mask/ deterrent Cinnamon Cinnamon Lure/ mask/ deterrent 1.50% 3.00% Dye None Green Individual Bait Weight 6.0g 12.0g

Sowing Rate Details

Pestlink Ref: 1415WAI02 Page 10 of 20 Date Printed: 02 Feb 2015 Pre-feed Toxic Date Rate(kg/ha) Date Rate(kg/ha) 22/08/2014 2.00 22/09/2014 2.00

Treatment details Pre-feed Toxic No. of applications 1 1 How long to apply 1.00 1.00 Average application 0 0 frequency Quantity when filled 0g 0g

Time between pre-feed and 31 toxic

Date Bait Removed - End of Caution Period Date 23/05/2015 Pattern of hand laying Broadcast

Other Details about this method Pre-feed was applied aerially across the operational area. Toxic bait was hand broadcast only in the Mangauika Stream Exclusion Zone by the Contractor. Ground team followed pre-set lines downloaded onto hand-held GPS. No bait was applied closer than 20m to the stream. De viations from planned operation None. Lessons Learned Waipa District Council may establish a bait station network on their land immediately adjacent to the Mangauika Stream and water supply abstraction point.

Treatment Block Te Kauri Park Scenic Reserve Control method Name Target pest species Pesticide - Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Te Possum Kauri Park Scenic Ship rat Reserve-(3)

Target Treatment Block Control Method Name Pest Species Te Kauri Park Scenic Pesticide - Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Te Possum Reserve Kauri Park Scenic Reserve- Ship rat (3)

Trade name of pesticide 0.15% 1080 Pellets RS5 Name of pesticide Sodium fluoroacetate Type of bait Cereal pellet

Pestlink Ref: 1415WAI02 Page 11 of 20 Date Printed: 02 Feb 2015 Toxic loading 1.5 g/kg Bait quality sampling Not Conducted Bait Details Pre-feed Toxic Bait type Cereal pellet Cereal pellet Lure/ mask/ deterrent Cinnamon Cinnamon Lure/ mask/ deterrent 1.50% 3.00% Dye None Green Individual Bait Weight 6.0g 12.0g

Sowing Rate Details Pre-feed Date Rate(kg/ha) Wind Speed Direction 22/08/2014 2.00 Light SW

Toxic Date Rate(kg/ha) Wind Speed Direction 23/09/2014 2.00 Light SW

Time between pre-feed and 32 toxic

End of Caution Period Date 23/05/2015 Aircraft type Squirrel AS 350 Number of Aircraft 2 Sowing gear details Description Capacity Standard broadcast/sowing bucket with non- 600 kg retractable legs

Type of navigational guidance Satloc GPS & ArcMAP

system used Loading Method 4x4 front-end loader

Complaints and Incidents A farmed pig was found dead in paddock immediately adjacent to operational area on north west boundary. The pig, which tested positive for 1080, was one of a mob that escaped from a paddock adjoining the boundary and likely to have entered the Reserve at the time of the operation or soon after. Only a sow and piglets were recovered alive, the remainder have been missing since the operation. Other Details about this method Bait applied in one day, with pre-feed and VTA flown from the same location, which has been used in previous operations. The majority of the block was flown with a broadcast bucket. This was followed up by trickle feed bucket to cover narrow strips and sensitive areas. VCS staff cleared all walking tracks of baits and carcasses within 24 hours of VTA application and again on 25 September.

Pestlink Ref: 1415WAI02 Page 12 of 20 Date Printed: 02 Feb 2015 Deviations from planned operation The boundary was not trickle fed as originally planned due to the project team being directed to take a more cautious approach, Lessons Learned The unfortunate loss of farmed pigs may not have occurred had the landowner declared pigs were being farmed up against the boundary, or shifted them prior to the operation.

Private lands adjoining (priority possum Treatment Block buffer) Control method Name Target pest species Pesticide - Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Possum Pirongia-(5) Ship rat

Target Control Pest Treatment Block Name Method Specie s Private lands adjoining (priority Pesticide - Pesticide - Aerial in Possu possum buffer) Aerial Pirongia-(5) m Ship rat

Trade name of pesticide 0.15% 1080 Pellets RS5 Name of pesticide Sodium fluoroacetate Type of bait Cereal pellet Toxic loading 1.5 g/kg Bait quality sampling Not Conducted Bait Details

Pre-feed Toxic Bait type Cereal pellet Cereal pellet Lure/ mask/ deterrent Cinnamon Cinnamon Lure/ mask/ deterrent 1.50% 3.00% Dye None Green Individual Bait Weight 6.0g 12.0g

Sowing Rate Details Pre-feed Date Rate(kg/ha) Wind Speed Direction 22/08/2014 2.00 Light SW 23/08/2014 2.00 Light SW

Pestlink Ref: 1415WAI02 Page 13 of 20 Date Printed: 02 Feb 2015 Toxic Date Rate(kg/ha) Wind Speed Direction 22/09/2014 2.00 Light SW

Time between pre-feed and 30 toxic

End of Caution Period Date 23/05/2015 Aircraft type Squirrel AS 350 Number of Aircraft 2 Sowing gear details Description Capacity Standard broadcast/sowing bucket with non- 600 kg retractable legs

Type of navigational guidance Satloc GPS & ArcMAP

system used Loading Method 4x4 front-end loader

Complaints and Incidents A mob of cattle that escaped into the Forest Park from private land was mustered out prior to VTA application. Other Details about this method Nil Deviations from planned operation Nil Lessons Learned Nil

Waipa District Council adjoining (priority Treatment Block possum buffer) Control method Name Target pest species Pesticide - Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Possum Pirongia-(2) Ship rat Pesticide - Hand Laying Pesticide - Hand Laying Possum in Pirongia-(1) Ship rat

Target Treatment Block Control Method Name Pest Species Waipa District Council adjoining Pesticide - Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Possum (priority possum buffer) Pirongia-(2) Ship rat

Trade name of pesticide 0.15% 1080 Pellets RS5 Name of pesticide Sodium fluoroacetate

Pestlink Ref: 1415WAI02 Page 14 of 20 Date Printed: 02 Feb 2015 Type of bait Cereal pellet Toxic loading 1.5 g/kg Bait quality sampling Not Conducted Bait Details

Pre-feed Toxic Bait type Cereal pellet Cereal pellet Lure/ mask/ deterrent Cinnamon Cinnamon Lure/ mask/ deterrent 1.50% 3.00% Dye None Green Individual Bait Weight 6.0g 12.0g

Sowing Rate Details Pre-feed Date Rate(kg/ha) Wind Speed Direction 22/08/2014 2.00 Light SW 23/08/2014 2.00 Light SW

Toxic Date Rate(kg/ha) Wind Speed Direction 22/09/2014 2.00 Light SW

Time between pre-feed and 30 toxic

End of Caution Period Date 23/05/2015 Aircraft type Squirrel AS 350 Number of Aircraft 2 Sowing gear details Description Capacity Standard broadcast/sowing bucket with non- 600 kg retractable legs

Type of navigational guidance Satloc GPS & ArcMAP

system used Loading Method 4x4 front-end loader

Complaints and Incidents No incidents reported or complaints received. Other Details about this method DOC staff cleared baits and carcasses from the Te Tahi Rd logging tracks and the Sainsbury Rd mountain biking trails within 24 hours of VTA application and again on 24 September. Deviations from planned operation The trickle bucket application of VTAs around the perimeter of the Mangauika Stream buffer did not occur as planned. Instead, VTAs were applied by broadcast bucket at 2kg/ha as for the remainder of the operational area.

Pestlink Ref: 1415WAI02 Page 15 of 20 Date Printed: 02 Feb 2015 Lessons Learned Nil

Target Treatment Block Control Method Name Pest Species Waipa District Council adjoining Pesticide - Hand Pesticide - Hand Possum (priority possum buffer) Laying Laying in Pirongia- Ship rat (1)

Trade name of pesticide 0.15% 1080 Pellets RS5 Name of pesticide Sodium fluoroacetate Type of bait Cereal pellet Toxic loading 1.5 g/kg Bait quality sampling Not Conducted Bait Details

Pre-feed Toxic Bait type Cereal pellet Cereal pellet Lure/ mask/ deterrent Cinnamon Cinnamon Lure/ mask/ deterrent 1.50% 3.00% Dye None Green Individual Bait Weight 6.0g 12.0g

Sowing Rate Details Pre-feed Toxic Date Rate(kg/ha) Date Rate(kg/ha) 22/08/2014 2.00 22/09/2014 2.00

Treatment details Pre-feed Toxic No. of applications 1 1 How long to apply 1.00 1.00 Average application 0 0 frequency Quantity when filled 0g 0g

Time between pre-feed and 31 toxic

Date Bait Removed - End of Caution Period Date 23/05/2015 Pattern of hand laying Broadcast

Other Details about this method Pre-feed was applied aerially across the operational area. VTA was hand broadcast only in the Mangauika Stream aerial toxic exclusion zone by the Contractor. The ground team followed pre-set lines downloaded onto hand-held GPS. No bait was

Pestlink Ref: 1415WAI02 Page 16 of 20 Date Printed: 02 Feb 2015 applied closer than 20m to the stream. Deviations from planned operation None. Lessons Learned Waipa District Council may establish a bait station network on their land immediately adjacent to the Mangauika Stream and water supply abstraction point at some time in the future.

5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS 5.2.1 Effects on Non-Target Species Non-target animals (native, domestic and wild animals) could be poisoned. If dogs or other domestic animals were poisoned this would lead to serious public opposition to this method of pest control both locally and nationally. Performance standard(s) Followed ? Monitored ? Temporary fencing (electric fence units) provided to land owners to keep stock out where no fences Yes No available

Effectiveness of performance standards The Department of Conservation received reports that a landowner adjacent to Te Kauri Park Scenic Reserve had lost pigs as a result of the aerial treatment of this block. At Pirongia reports of dead fallow deer were released to the media. In none of these incidents was DOC, WRC or the contractor held liable for negligence.

Bykill of non-target species Only report of non-target kills were: pigs, fallow deer 5.2.2 Effects on Soil and Water Quality Contamination of Te Awamutu water supply at Te Tahi Road could cause a significant public and commercial problem. Performance standard(s) Followed ? Monitored ? Testing water from Maungauika Stream Yes Yes Exclusion zone (from aerial) around Maungauika Stream Yes Yes

Effectiveness of performance standards No 1080 detected in the water samples taken. 5.2.3 Effects on Ecosystems Effects on Ecosystems Not Applicable 5.2.4 Effects on Human Health Effects on Human Health Not Applicable

Pestlink Ref: 1415WAI02 Page 17 of 20 Date Printed: 02 Feb 2015 6 Monitoring Results and Outcomes 6.1 RESULT MONITORING - TARGET SPECIES Result target(s) Less than 3% RTCI for area covered by the aerial operation Less than 5% Tracking Tunnel index for rats (measured in Te Kauri Park only)

6.1.1 Target Species Monitoring Residual trap-catch index (RTCI) Method: Species monitored Possum - Trichosurus vulpecula in Pirongia Monitor method details NPCA trap catch protocol was used, with some variations to site selection and number of lines. Pre- operational monitor was undertaken in 2013 in three blocks (Hihikiwi, Te Tahi and Kaniwhaniwha) across 33 lines. Post operation monitor was undertaken in two different blocks (Aramiro and Ngutunui) across 14 lines.

Deviations Budget restrictions meant no re-monitor of blocks surveyed prior to operation. Target pest result details

Pre During/Post Monitoring dates 31/01/2013 11/10/2014 Results 6.95% +/- 1.4% 0.48% +/- 0.7%

Result target met? Yes Lessons Learned Should re-look at monitoring method to optimise cost, but get a reliable and informative result. 6.1.2 Target Species Monitoring Tracking tunnels Method: Species monitored Ship rat - Rattus rattus in Te Kauri Park Scenic Reserve Monitor method details Rat Tracking Index (Gillies and Williams) was used in part of the block (around the Te Kauri Park Lodge). Five lines of 10 tunnels used for monitor.

Deviations No rat monitoring was planned by the Department, but the community group working at Te Kauri Park undertakes regular monitoring and these results have been used as an indication. Target pest result details

Pestlink Ref: 1415WAI02 Page 18 of 20 Date Printed: 02 Feb 2015 Pre During/Post Monitoring dates June 2014 October 2014 Results 79% 28%

Result target met? No Lessons Learned The operation failed to reduce rat tracking to the target desired in Te Kauri Park. The small area monitored is not necessarily reflective of the result for the whole operation. If rat control is an important result for this area in future then a more representative

monitoring regime is required. 6.2 RESULT MONITORING - ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS 6.2.1 Non Target Species No monitoring of non target species was undertaken. 6.2.2 Soil and Water Quality Te Awamutu water supply for the presence of Monitoring of: 1080 at the Mangauika Stream abstraction point

Monitor Method details Landcare Research standard test for 1080 in water. The upper and lower Mangauika Stream pumps were valved off 2 hours prior to the toxic drop. Food, Health and Environmental Limited, an independent agency, was contracted to take water samples at 6, 12 and 24 hours after the toxic drop and again at 6,12 and 24 hours after significant rain. The latter was triggered by instruments at the sampling site when stream turbidity reached 0.8NTU.

Deviations None. Monitoring dates 26/8/2014 and 3/9/2014 Results No detections of 1080 in the water samples. The maximum shut-down period of six days for dam closure was not exceeded. A contribution of $2000 (including GST) was leveraged from Waipa DC to help with the cost water testing after significant rain and helicopter time to establish the exclusion zone.

Lessons Learned Using stream turbidity readings is a quantitative and accurate method for determining significant rainfall in a catchment. Flight lines around Maungauika Stream Monitoring of: exclusion

Monitor Method details Visual survey of flight lines downloaded to computer

Deviations None Monitoring dates 23/09/2014 Results Helicopter stayed out of exclusion area.

Pestlink Ref: 1415WAI02 Page 19 of 20 Date Printed: 02 Feb 2015 Lessons Learned Clear instructions backed up by pre-flight boundary check work.

6.2.3 Ecosystems No monitoring of ecosystems was undertaken. 6.2.4 Human Health No monitoring of human health was undertaken.

6.3 OUTCOME MONITORING Outcome targets There is no outcome target specified for this site

No monitoring of outcomes was undertaken

Pestlink Ref: 1415WAI02 Page 20 of 20 Date Printed: 02 Feb 2015