Pest animals
Hauraki Gulf Islands
Many of the Hauraki Gulf islands are currently free of all or some of the animal pests that are problems on the mainland. These pests could cause serious damage if they were transported and allowed to establish on these pest-free islands.
In 1998 the Auckland Regional Council declared the Hauraki Gulf, and all the gulf islands within the region, a 'Controlled Area' under the Biosecurity Act 1993. This means that it is an offence to take animal pests into the Hauraki Gulf or onto any of the islands of the Gulf.
The 'Controlled Area' also requires anyone wanting to move a building into, through or from one island to another in the Gulf to be inspected by ARC - to ensure that no animal pests are being transported.
The aims of the 'Controlled Area' are:
- to raise awareness of the threats posed to the islands of the Hauraki Gulf from animal pests; and,
- to greatly reduce introductions of pests on to islands, particularly possums and rats via boats, cargo, plants and relocatable buildings.
Waikato Regional Council has consistent policy in it's Regional Pest Management Strategy, banning the movement of known pests (as defined in it's strategy) into or from one place to another within the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, except with the permission of an authorised person.
Pests banned from the Hauraki Gulf controlled area
- Argentine ant
- blue-tongued skink
- brushtail possum
- feral cat
- feral deer - any species of the genera Cervus, Axis, Dama, Odocoileus, Elaphurus and/or any hybrid
- feral goat
- feral pig
- hedgehog
- mouse
- mustelids - stoat, ferret, weasel
- perch
- rabbit
- rat - any species
- rudd
- tench
- wallabies - dama, parma, swamp and brushtailed rock wallaby
For more information download the Hauraki Gulf controlled area pamphlet:
