Operational Report for Possum, Ship rat Control in the Mt () 2017

22 May 2017 - 15 Jun 2017 Department of Conservation Contents 1. Operation Summary

Operation Name Possum, Ship rat Control in Mt Karioi (Pirongia Forest Park) 2017 Operation Date 22 May 2017 - 15 Jun 2017 District Waikato Region: Hauraki-Waikato-Taranaki Pestlink Reference 1920WAI0 1 Field Trial - Treatment Area Mt Karioi (Pirongia Forest Park) 2017 Size (ha) 1613.00 Conservation Unit Name(s) GA Id(s) Pirongia Forest Park 2795307 Te Toto Gorge Scenic Reserve 2795625

Treatment Block Details Treatment Blocks Size (ha) Grid Ref GIS Ref Karioi Ground Treatment 232.00 BD32 58510 09000 Block Karioi Aerial Treatment Block 1381.00 BD32 58480 07655

Treatment Dates Start Completion Karioi Aerial Treatment Block 22 May 2017 07 Jun 2017 Karioi Ground Treatment 22 May 2017 15 Jun 2017 Block

Target Pest Details Treatment Target Pests Control Method Name Blocks Karioi Aerial Possum, Ship rat Pesticide Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Karioi Treatment Block Aerial Treatment Block-(4) Karioi Ground Possum, Ship rat Pesticide Bait Pesticide - Bait Station in Treatment Block Station Karioi Ground Treatment Block-(2)

Conservation Outcome(s) Mt Karioi and Te Toto Gorge Scenic Reserve are areas of public conservation land that collectively represent the few remaining protected forest areas with a full succession of vegetation sequence from the coast to mountain top on the west coast of the . Maintaining very low possum densities and controlling rats will have major benefits on the botanical and fauna values at these sites.

Result Target(s) Treatment Area/Block What we got  Less than 3% RTC Karioi Aerial Treatment Block 0.9% for possums

 Less than 3% RTC Karioi Ground Treatment 0.9% for possums Block

Outcome Targets What we got  Outcome targets were not set for this operation

2. Introduction

2.1 TREATMENT AREA

Animal pest species Common Name Scientific Name Possum Trichosurus vulpecula Norway rat Rattus norvegicus Ship rat Rattus rattus Stoat Mustela erminea Weasel Mustela nivalis vulgaris Ferret Mustela furo cat Felis catus Pig Sus scrofa

Non-target species Common Name Scientific Name Australasian harrier Circus approximans Dog Canis familiaris bush falcon Falco novaeseelandiae "bush"

Target benefit species Common Name Scientific Name Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae tūī novaeseelandiae bellbird Anthornis melanura melanura Petroica macrocephala kohekohe Dysoxylum spectabile kāmahi Weinmannia racemosa

Threatened species Common Name Scientific Name grey-faced petrel Pterodroma macroptera gouldi pigeon Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae

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Nestor meridionalis North Island kākā septentrionalis

Concurrent pest operation details Contact Contact Concurrent pest operations Name Office Mt Karioi North PPCA (Waikato Regional Council - DOC Waikato EcoFX Ltd) Mt Karioi South PPCA (Waikato Regional Council - DOC Waikato EcoFX Ltd) Karioi Maunga ki te moana Predator Trapping (Volunteers) DOC Waikato Pig control DOC Waikato

Geographical location The Mt Karioi (Pirongia Forest Park) 2017 is situated 6 km North of Raglan. TREATMENT BLOCK DETAILS: Treatment block Karioi Ground Treatment Block Vegetation ranges from coastal, through lowland broadleaf and higher Vegetation type altitude hardwood (kamahi). Bioclimatic zone semi-coastal lowland Climate characteristics: Rainfall 1400 mm Temperature: Average Summer 19.0 Average Winter 12.0 Snow level 0 m Altitude 200-730 m Community and Main water supply for coastal communities (iwi) west of Raglan. Lies interests directly adjacent to significant area of iwi owned land. Historic sites Sites of cultural significance throughout area Treatment block Karioi Aerial Treatment Block Vegetation ranges from coastal, through lowland broadleaf and higher Vegetation type altitude hardwood (kamahi). Nearer the coast, native vegetation is patchy and includes kanuka/manuka interspersed with rank grass. Bioclimatic zone coastal lowland semi-coastal sub-montane Climate characteristics: Rainfall 1400 mm Temperature: Average Summer 19.0 Average Winter 12.0 Snow level 0 m Altitude 0-756 m

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Mount Karioi and adjoining Te Toto Gorge Scenic Reserve has great cultural significance to local Iwi. Wainui stream is a waahi tapu for the Community and Iwi local iwi. There is also a walking track through the reserve and coastal interests observation sites along the Whaanga Road. There is significant community interest in restoring the native flora and fauna with various conservation programmes being run by volunteers. There is unique early maori garden stone structures and evidence of early stone dwellings within Te Toto Gorge. Kumera pits and an old Historic sites pa are evident on prominent ridges. Part of the area is waahi tapu due to a historical massacre which is reported to have occurred here.

2.2 MANAGEMENT HISTORY Management history is excluded from draft operation reports. This history will, however, be available via Pestlink once the operational report has been verified 3 Outcomes and Targets 3.1 CONSERVATION OUTCOMES Mt Karioi and Te Toto Gorge Scenic Reserve are areas of public conservation land that collectively represent the few remaining protected forest areas with a full succession of vegetation sequence from the coast to mountain top on the west coast of the North Island. Maintaining very low possum densities and controlling rats will have major benefits on the botanical and fauna values at these sites. 3.2 TARGETS 3.2.1 Result Targets The result targets for the treatment area were:  Less than 3% RTC for possums

3.2.2 Outcome Targets The outcome targets for the treatment area were:  Outcome targets were not set for this operation

4 Consultation, Consents & Notifications 4.1 CONSULTATION

Iwi – Consultation on Effects and the opportunity to discuss alternative methods for the ground control block. Four local marae were consulted with by DOC & WRC staff. Consultation with the four hapu was consultation meetings held within the marae committee meetings for Mototakotako marae, Te Papatapu marae, Waingaro marae and Poihakena marae..

Adjoining Landowners – Consultation on effects with nearby and landowners/residents adjoining the treatment area began in July 2016. Meeting with all adjoining landowners well before the operation commenced.

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Community - A working relationship has also been formed with the main volunteer group that carry out conservation and education functions on and around Mt Karioi - Karioi Maunga. Consultation meetings occurred on two occasions with the volunteers from Karioi Maunga and other key stakeholders such as Whaingaroa Environment Centre, Friends of Wainui Reserve, Te Whakaoranga o Karioi Incorporated Society, Council and Ngati Mahanga ki Whaingaroa (November 2016 and February 2017).

Waikato Regional Council - The Department’s consultation efforts were supported by the Waikato Regional Council for the private land being treated concurrently. WRC contractors also completed consultation with individual landowners before commencing operations on the private lands around Karioi.

The Waikato MOH and Health Protection Officers, Population Health, Waikato District Health Board regularly attend the monthly Karioi planning meetings, ensuring human safety. This included auditing the toxic aerial operation.

Consultation outcomes Treaty Partners and local stakeholders were consulted with or notified prior to the operation. Lessons learned By sticking to past agreements with the hapu of keeping aerial 1080 out of the Wainui catchment, a 240 ha catchment area that includes the Wainui and Te Aewa streams, immediately adjacent to iwi lands, is one of the main catchments into the Whaingaroa harbour. Additionally, by working with the mana whenua to complete the mahi was extremely important to the hapu. 4.2 CONSENTS Consent Consent date File Reference Permission ID PHP Consent 28/02/2017 dme://2984513 VTA/2017/2446 DOC AEE 10/04/2017 dme://3011377 docCM-3011377

Lessons learned Consenting process ran smoothly and was completed well ahead of the operation. A resource consent was not required as the new Resource (Management) Exemption Regulations 2017 came into effect in February, well ahead of the planned start in May. The was one unexpected consent required for the helicopter to fly across Whaanga Road with the 1080 bait in the bucket from Waikato District Council, who required Traffic Management Plan from a qualified STMS with the appropriated qualified Traffic management staff of site during the operation. 4.3 NOTIFICATION In July 2016, an initial letter was sent to all landowners living near to the operational area in partnership with WRC to assist with the preliminary notification. Following this DOC and WRC staff visited with the adjoining landowners to consult with the on the effects of the methods. In early February 2017, the following adjoining and nearby landowners, Iwi groups, schools, Vets, Medical Centres, stakeholders and recreational user groups were posted at detailed fact sheet this was used to communicate the intent of this work more widely. A follow up notification letter was sent on 11 April 2017 to schools, medical centres, concessionaires, landowners with water intakes within the treatment area and adjoining landowners. In addition to a pre-operation public notice run in the Raglan Chronicle on the 20th April 2017. The WRC Communications Team in partnership with DOC ran two full page pre-operation and a post operation advertorial in the Raglan Chronicle.

24 hour notification (phone, text or email) was delivered to all those who required this (Local police, MOH, WRC) as well as to all adjoining landowners, those with water takes near or within the operational area, the local iwi, the community group Karioi maunga, the local vet and the district council Lessons learned The Notification process ran exceedingly well, with no negative feedback directed at the Department or the Contractor.

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5 Methods 5.1 TARGET SPECIES

Treatment Block Karioi Ground Treatment Block Control method Name Target pest species Pesticide - Bait Station Pesticide - Bait Station in Possum Karioi Ground Treatment Ship rat Block-(2)

Target Treatment Block Control Method Name Pest Species Karioi Ground Pesticide - Bait Pesticide - Bait Station in Karioi Possum Treatment Block Station Ground Treatment Block-(2) Ship rat Trade name of pesticide 0.15% 1080 Pellets #7 Orillion Name of pesticide 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 0.15% 0.30% Dye None Green Individual Bait Weight 6.0g 12.0g

Treatment details Pre-feed Toxic Dates 22/05/2017 12/06/2017 No. of fills 1 1 How long to fill 4.00 4.00 Average fill frequency 0 0 Quantity when filled 1000g 500g

Time between pre-feed and toxic 17 Date Bait Removed 25/07/2017 End of Caution Period Date 07/03/2018 Pattern of bait stations Contour Grid Spur/ridge Bait station type Philproof large Bait station spacing 100m between lines X 100m between bait stations Total number of bait stations 225

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Bait Station density 0.9698

Other Details about this method The bait station network was set up with the 100 x 100 m grid to allow for future control efforts which will likely see the grid adapted to allow possum and rat control by the volunteer group Karioi maunga. Deviations from planned operation Toxic bait quantity when filled was planned at 1000g, this amount was reduced to 500g on recommendations from an experienced contractor having completed the pre-feed. Lessons Learned Access was challenging at times due to high rainfalls and potential damage caused by vehicles. The method of using bait stations was extremely labour intensive and expensive, especially due to the dense vegetation and steep terrain, however this investment in infrastructure will benefit the conservation outcomes long term as the community group plan to continue rat and possum control in this block on a more regular basis.

Treatment Block Karioi Aerial Treatment Block Control method Name Target pest species Pesticide - Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Karioi Possum Aerial Treatment Block-(4) Ship rat

Target Treatment Block Control Method Name Pest Species Karioi Aerial Treatment Block Pesticide - Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Karioi Possum Aerial Treatment Block-(4) Ship rat Trade name of pesticide 0.15% 1080 Pellets #7 Orillion 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 0.15% 0.30% Dye None Green Individual Bait Weight 6.0g 12.0g

Sowing Rate Details Pre-feed Toxic Wind Wind Date Rate(kg/ha) Direction Date Rate(kg/ha) Direction Speed Speed 22/05/2017 2.00 Calm NE 07/06/2017 2.00 Moderate SW

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Time between pre-feed and toxic 16 End of Caution Period Date 07/02/2018 Aircraft type Squirrel AS 350 Number of Aircraft 1 Sowing gear details Description Capacity Under slung sowing bucket (IMS) capable of trickling 600 kg (boundaries) and spinner option capable of effective swathes of 140-180 metres.

Type of navigational guidance Trackmap Flight3 with Software version 3.2.2 system used

The Helicopter operator used a proprietary loading Loading Method system and dedicated truck

Complaints and Incidents During toxic bait application, GIS monitoring detected that aircraft were coming closer to exclusion zones than planned. The incursions occurred during turns, when aircraft strayed between 1 and 12 metres closer to exclusion areas than intended. This meant that some bait at the extreme edge of the buckets range may have landed within the outer edge of the exclusion areas. This was discussed with the Public Health Unit Officer who was on site monitoring the operation. The PHU’s decision was that there was no human health risk from these incursions. This risk assessment was based on the small volume of bait involved, the extensive unaffected buffers still remaining around sensitive areas, and that the incursions were confined to public conservation land inside the planned treatment area, where normal public warnings, signage and restrictions on taking game were already in place. The breaches were discussed with the helicopter operator, who altered flight paths to ensure no more breaches occurred. Field teams were not deployed to check and clear the location of these incursions. The reasons for this are; • There was no public health risk. • There was no environmental risk. Some bait may have been applied on public conservation land, that was intended to be excluded, but this was within the larger treatment area, so presented no additional risk to native or other non-target species. • The risks of deploying field teams to check 1 to 12 metre strips in contiguous forest where flight tracking data suggested small amounts of bait may have landed were not justified. In error, this incident was not reported to the EPA at the time. This occurred because the responsible DOC Officer misunderstood DOC’s reporting obligations to the EPA. Mistakenly, it was believed that reporting to the Public Health Unit was enough. Other Details about this method This operation was planned in conjunction with the Waikato Regional Council's PPCA's on the surrounding private lands. The aerial and ground control operation, planning, consultation were all managed by DOC staff, using the CIMS structure. The bait management and distribution was contracted out through a tender process. Deviations from planned operation The operation was originally planned to be completed in July-August 2017, however after the first planning meeting held with Waikato Regional Council, it was decided to move the operation date forward to May-June, this was due to school holidays in July and lambing in August/September. There was also consideration for the contractors to successfully complete the PPCA's on the surrounding private land that would run concurrently or just after the completion of the aerial operation. The toxic application was delivered 16 days after

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the pre-feed. The result target achieved was excellent and the weather windows were very desirable. Lessons Learned Pressure from national team to complete CIMS structure training towards the end of the planning process put extra stress on the team and would have been better utilised if it had been implemented for the beginning of the process. Operationally the CIMS structure for this operation, due to its small size and level of simplicity felt clunky and over resourced. A significant level of staff time and resources were used for planning and completing comprehensive communications leading up to this operation. Better use of resources may have been to contract the entire process out to a pest control contractor, especially since unforeseen circumstances with the ground control contractors arose on several occasions. Time pressures around completing the operation in a short time frame of 2 months, put pressure on the timely completion of the operation. Working in partnership with the Regional Council worked extremely well.

5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS 5.2.1 Effects on Non-Target Species Non-target species could be poisoned by direct consumption of bait or scavenging carcasses. Followed Monitored Performance standard(s) ? ? 50m setback from the farm pasture margins for the aerial application. Yes Yes As part of consultation, it was arranged with farmers to keep stock out of paddocks bordering the oeprational area for as long as possible. Yes Yes Farmers were also offered muzzles for their dogs. DOC staff checked adjacent paddocks to remove any dead possums Yes Yes encountered to reduce the risk to farm dogs.

Effectiveness of performance standards The use of additional performance standards, e.g. removing possum carcasses from edge of operational boundary, greatly reduced risk to non-target species, particularly dogs. Most adjoining landowners requested muzzles and emetic pills which were provided. One landowner has significant fence issues which need to be addressed.

Bykill of non-target species Nothing reported 5.2.2 Effects on Soil and Water Quality - Effects on Soil and Water Quality Not Applicable 5.2.3 Effects on Ecosystems - Effects on Ecosystems Not Applicable 5.2.4 Effects on Human Health Staff could be poioned by improper handling of bait Performance standard(s) Followed ? Monitored ? Standard performance measures from Performance Standard Sheets Yes Yes

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Effectiveness of performance standards Workers use of PPE was to a very high standard - no non compliance observed by the DOC staff auditing these standards. 6 Monitoring Results and Outcomes 6.1 RESULT MONITORING - TARGET SPECIES Result target(s) Less than 3% RTC for possums

6.1.1 Target Species Monitoring Residual trap-catch index (RTCI) Method: Species monitored Possum - Trichosurus vulpecula in Karioi Aerial Treatment Block Monitor method details Followed NPCA protocol using an independent contractor (15 lines) Deviations Two lines were altered due to difficulties in the terrain Target pest result details Pre During/Post Monitoring dates May 2015 July 2017 Results 9.5% 0.9%

Result target met? Yes Lessons Learned Very low levels are able to achieved at this site 6.1.2 Target Species Monitoring Residual trap-catch index (RTCI) Method: Species monitored Possum - Trichosurus vulpecula in Karioi Ground Treatment Block Monitor method details Followed NPCA protocol using an independent contractor (15 lines) Deviations Two lines were altered due to difficulties in the terrain Target pest result details Pre During/Post Monitoring dates May 2015 July 2017 Results 9.5% 0.9%

Result target met? Yes Lessons Learned Very low levels are able to achieved at this site

6.2 RESULT MONITORING - ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS 6.2.1 Non Target Species Monitoring of: Boundary check for carcasses Monitor Method details DOC staff walked farm boundaries and streams and removed any possum carcasses found for safe disposal. Deviations

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None Monitoring dates 09/06/2017 Results No loss of dogs or stock has been reported Lessons Learned Landowners appreciated this additional safety measure

6.2.2 Soil and Water Quality No monitoring of soil and water quality was undertaken. 6.2.3 Ecosystems No monitoring of ecosystems was undertaken. 6.2.4 Human Health Compliance by staff handling toxins with use of Monitoring of: appropriate PPE Monitor Method details Use of PPE as per Safe Handling Sheets. Operations Manager and Logistics Manager recently attended Animal Pest Control Methods course which gave training in correct standards and use of PPE. Most of the staff involved in the operation have CSL which also covers appropriate use of PPE Deviations None Monitoring dates 07/06/2017 Results No breaches to the DOC or MOH conditions were identified by the DOC, WRC and DHB staff monitoring these standards. Lessons Learned Professional approach by contractors means less likelihood of faulty practice. Auditing of these standards ensures these standards are maintained.

6.3 OUTCOME MONITORING Outcome targets Outcome targets were not set for this operation

No monitoring of outcomes was undertaken

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