Doc # 2169852

Waikato Regional Council Policy Series 2012/19

Waikato Regional Pest Management Strategy Annual Report 2011/12

www.waikatoregion.govt.nz ISSN 2230-4339 (Print) ISSN 2230-4347 (Online)

Front cover photo: Wallaby indicator dog, Lotte and handler in the Mamaku Ranges Prepared by the: Biosecurity-Heritage Group for: Waikato Regional Council Private Bag 3038 Waikato Mail Centre HAMILTON 13 September 2012 Document #: 2169852

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Table of Contents Executive Summary v

1 Introduction 1

1.1 Background 1 1.2 RPMS implementation programmes 1 1.3 Giving effect to the Strategy 3 1.4 Report format 4

2 Progress in Implementing the Strategy 5

2.1 The financials 5 2.2 Production pest management 6 2.2.1 Direct control 6 2.2.2 Compliance 9 2.3 Public threat pest management 10 2.3.1 Plant and animal pests – compliance 10 2.4 Environmental pest management 13 2.4.1 Direct control – animal pests 13 2.4.2 Direct control – pest plants 15 2.4.3 Compliance – pest plants 22 2.4.4 Regional priority catchment protection 24 2.4.5 Regional priority possum control 26 2.4.6 Regional priority biodiversity sites 33 2.5 Potential pest management 38 2.5.1 Potential plant and animal pests 38 2.5.2 National partnerships 39 2.6 Crown RPMS obligations 42 2.6.1 The Crown, the Biosecurity Act and regional councils’ expectations 42 2.6.2 Department of Conservation (DOC) funded projects – 2011/12 42

3 Case Studies 44

3.1 Biological control releases in the Waikato region - buddleia 44 3.2 Priority Possum Control Areas Customer Satisfaction Survey 47

Photos Photo 1: Possum browse of brassica at Pukekawa Photo 2: Pampas in geothermal area near Taupo Photo 3: Euphorbia paralias (sea spurge) Photo 4: Kauri exhibiting ‘ooze’ associated with Kauri Dieback Photo 5: Buddleja davidii Photo 6: Life stages of buddleia leaf weevil Photo 7: Defoliated buddleia due to the buddleia leaf weevil Photo 8: Kereru (native wood pigeon) in large numbers feeding on pasture - sign

of low predator numbers

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Chair’s Foreword The Waikato Regional Pest Management Strategy was developed under the Biosecurity Act 1993. The Act allows regional councils to develop a range of initiatives to tackle pest problems that are specific to each region. During the year we built on existing work that has been carried out over a number of years, such as the initial and maintenance possum control operations in north western Waikato. The ‘landscape control’ effect from Port Waikato to Raglan means that the reinvasion of possums will be delayed due to the larger and better defended areas now under control – this will see significant cost savings in the future. This year saw the implementation of new tools for the council to use in terms surveillance and control techniques. A specially trained dog was trialled to identify the presence of wallabies within the Kaimai Mamaku area. In addition, the council continued to support the ongoing research and implementation of insects as biocontrol agents against some of the region’s worst pest plants. A fish trap has been built and will be installed later in 2012 at the entrance of Lake Waikare to stop koi carp from entering the lake – the captured fish will be turned in to fertiliser and used at local nurseries. Lastly, a more cost-effective means of controlling Pinus contorta was used in the central North Island: the ‘basal bark’ technique sees herbicide application undertaken from helicopter meaning greater areas can be covered over a much shorter time period than previous ‘seek and destroy’ missions by ground operations. Important relationships with other regional councils and agencies continue. The council is involved in joint agency programmes such as the Kaimai Catchments Project; Peninsular Project; and the Kauri Dieback Programme. The Hamilton Halo project continues its success both in and around Hamilton city and Project Echo is aimed at protecting and enhancing the local bat populations within the city limits. A telephone survey was undertaken during the year to ascertain the level of satisfaction achieved with landowners living within priority possum control areas. Over 70% of respondents were happy and appreciative of the control undertaken to date with many noticing an increase in native bird numbers and an improvement of native forest condition. Of course, a great deal remains to be done and we cannot do it on our own. To make sure that the council and community expectations are met, we must continue to engage the wider community, increase their knowledge of the need to tackle pest issues and enlist their support. I recommend this Annual Report on the Regional Pest Management Strategy to you. Laurie Burdett Chair, Regional Pest Management Committee

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Executive Summary This Annual Report records progress made by the Waikato Regional Council (WRC) in implementing the Waikato Regional Pest Management Strategy (RPMS). It covers the period from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012. The Annual Report is a statutory requirement under section 85(1) (c) of the Biosecurity Act 1993. Key achievements or project outcomes for the year are summarised below:

• Identification of, and management programme put in place for, sea spurge (Euphorbia), a new to New Zealand pest plant species.

• Construction of the first prototype koi carp cage for Lake Waikare was well developed. The automated trap is expected to be operational by December 2012.

• Submission to WRC for a region-wide consent for control of Manchurian wild rice, spartina and alligator weed in aquatic situations, to treat these pests wherever they occur in the region. An application was submitted concurrently with the Environmental Protection Agency for a variation to HSNO regulations for use of herbicides over water.

• Initial possum control carried out in the Nukuhakari, Huntly and Waotu areas as part of the ‘landscape-scale’ Priority Possum Control Areas (PPCA) programme.

• Maintenance possum control completed at Awaroa-Whangape, Opuatia, Ngutunui, Honikiwi and mostly completed at Hauturu. Planning and tendering work was undertaken for 2012/13 projects at Te Kopia/Waikite, Arohena and Mokauiti.

• Continued excellence in achieving low rat numbers at crucial bird nesting times in Hamilton Halo project areas at Tirohanga Road, Pukemokemoke and Te Tapui.

• New alligator weed site found near Morrinsville. A fertiliser representative spotted something different about the vegetation cover. Control work was carried out five times over the season to eradicate alligator weed from this site. Other alligator weed programmes were completed according to plan.

• Completion of a landowner perception survey regarding the PPCA programme. Almost three quarters of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with the programme overall. This is a credit to our contractors and staff project managers working well together.

• A privet control community initiative was instigated with the Raglan Community Board. Surveys were carried out and recommendations put to Waikato District Council regarding the development of a privet and wider weed management plan for Raglan.

• Restoration of cabbage trees at Hikuai wetland (Coromandel) was achieved through mulching and spraying of three hectares of privet and willows. Cabbage tree seedlings are appearing throughout the site following maintenance work.

• Wallaby detection work in the Mamaku area received a boost with staff working with a contractor and a wallaby detection dog. This work looks promising for 2012/13.

• A new technique to control contorta pine was trialled in the Central Plateau area. Basal barking applies concentrated herbicide to the stems of trees and should prove more cost-effective than cutting trees out; and

• Biological control releases were made of the broom gall mite, woolly nightshade lace bug, green thistle beetle, tradescantia stem beetle and buddleia leaf weevil.

An operational surplus of $449,395 resulted at 30 June 2012. This surplus was a result of three main factors: 1) uncompleted work in which the outstanding funding was

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carried over into the 2012/13 year; 2) some savings made from tenders awarded during the year; and 3) work unable to be done due to redirection of staff resources or other delays outside the influence of staff. Of this 2011/12 budget, $822,000 was carried forward to the 2012/13 budget to fund delayed projects such as possum control at: Port Waikato, Te Kohanga, Arohena, Manaia and Nukuhakari. Wallaby detection and control work in the south Waikato area was also included. The Department of Conservation (DOC) undertook work to satisfy RPMS Crown exacerbator obligations for controlling climbing spindleberry, old man’s beard, woolly nightshade, ginger, gorse, pampas, possums and alligator weed, totalling $141,000 for the year. Despite excellent relationships with DOC Conservancy offices, there is still an annual shortfall for DOC to satisfactorily meet its RPMS obligations. WRC will continue to advocate for increased Crown funding for RPMS projects under the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Future of Pest Management Project (FOPM). Challenges for 2012/13 include:

• Working through changes to any processes developed with regard to the Biosecurity Law Reform Bill.

• Anticipating approval of a region-wide consent for control of aquatic pest plants and process changes as a result.

• Development of a new Regional Pest Management Plan to replace the current RPMS (by December 2013).

• Better integration of catchment management services with biosecurity objectives and biodiversity values.

• Working in a constrained financial environment where the pressure is on to achieve greater cost efficiencies.

The Regional Pest Management Strategy is an important enabling and regulatory document. The challenge for WRC is to meet increasing demands, making sure its processes are sound, and its decisions fair and reasonable. This needs the continued cooperation and involvement of all land occupiers in the region. JH Simmons Group Manager, Biosecurity-Heritage

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1 Introduction

1.1 Background The Biosecurity Act 1993 (‘the Act’) guides pest management in New Zealand. Its main purpose is to prevent new pests from entering the country through border control surveillance, and to facilitate management of pests that are already established in the country. Regional councils are responsible for the latter task. The Act enables the Waikato Regional Council (WRC) to develop an approach to pest management specific to the region’s needs and expectations by developing a Regional Pest Management Strategy (RPMS). Under the RPMS, (or ‘the Strategy’) the responsibility for most pest control work lies with landowners and occupiers. WRC has responsibilities to ensure land occupiers are aware of, and meet, their obligations for pest management on their properties. The council will also undertake direct pest control where there is clear justification and regional benefit. The biosecurity function is funded by a targeted rate on all properties, shown specifically on rate invoices. Under section 85 of the Biosecurity Act, the management agency for a pest management strategy must prepare an operational plan. The RPMS Operational Plan may be covered as part of the council’s overall Annual Plan. The Plan must be reviewed and reported on annually, no later than five months after the end of each financial year. The RPMS was adopted in December 2008 and remains in force until 10 December 2013. This Annual Report covers the work programme for the period 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012, under the third RPMS. It notes progress made against objectives and performance measures contained in the Council’s 2011/12 Waikato Regional Pest Management Strategy Operational Plan and expands on these objectives where appropriate. Financial information is in summary form only.

1.2 RPMS implementation programmes Each pest in the RPMS Strategy has been placed into one of three management categories, based on different criteria (for example, effects, distribution, density and the control methods available): • Eradication pest

A pest with limited distribution or density. The desirable end goal is eradication, although ‘zero density’ is more practical to achieve over time. WRC will fund and undertake control of these pests such as rooks and alligator weed, including providing advice and information and monitoring control progress.

• Containment pest

A pest that is well established in the region. The goal is to prevent harmful effects on the environment, health or the economy and, where practicable for some pests, reduce the area affected. Land occupiers are required to control plant pests under this category either across the whole property (‘total control’, such as woolly nightshade), or along a property boundary (‘boundary control’, such as gorse).

• Potential pest

A pest of concern that WRC will monitor and record to ensure it doesn’t become widely established in the region (such as fringed water lily or velvet leaf). Control of these pests may be undertaken at any time if required.

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WRC achieves practical pest management through the following methods: • Direct control

The council funds and undertakes the control of 15 high threat plant pests and six animal pests in a ‘pest-led’ management approach. Control of relevant pests will also be undertaken in areas of high ecological significance on private land in the region, under a ‘site-led’ approach.

• Community initiatives

Communities with particular pest problems sometimes want to make a combined local effort. WRC can assist communities with group facilitation and limited funding. The council can also help with initial pest control to reduce numbers to manageable levels or provide ‘seed’ money to help get the group started.

• Information and advice

To help landowners control pests, WRC provides practical advice through factsheets, the council’s website (www.waikatoregion.govt.nz), field or demonstration days, and through a direct freephone link to accredited staff or pest contractors in the region (0800 BIOSECURITY - 0800 246 732).

• Monitoring/surveillance

Regular property inspections make sure strategy rules are being adhered to. Monitoring is also undertaken before and after most pest control operations to ensure control targets are achieved. Surveillance identifies new pest problems in the region and in neighbouring regions, and helps ensure that current problems are not getting worse.

• Enforcement

Fair and reasonable rules, prescribed in the Strategy, require landowners to control pests to a specific standard. Every effort is made to achieve voluntary compliance. However, an enforcement procedure is available and used where appropriate.

• Biological control

WRC participates in a national collective which funds research into biological control agents for pests, such as pampas and tutsan. The council also releases a number of known and approved plant pest biological control agents.

Pest control work is mostly contracted. Biosecurity pest plant contractors (BPPC’s) in five contract areas have primary responsibility for monitoring, advisory, surveillance and enforcement activities. Coromandel and Hamilton City pest plant functions are carried out by staff based in Whitianga and Hamilton, respectively. Physical control is undertaken by GROWSAFE© certified contractors, as required. Animal pest contractors vie for a number of possum and rat control contracts through a comprehensive tender process. Goat control tendering is generally done in conjunction with DOC, using their tendering process and WRC funds appropriate portions where private land is involved. Other biosecurity staff in Hamilton are responsible for contract management, landowner consultation, developing awareness programmes, political liaison, budgeting and reporting.

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1.3 Giving effect to the Strategy Monitoring the performance of pest management agencies Under section 85 of the Biosecurity Act, WRC, as the principal management agency, must specify the manner in which it intends to monitor its performance. This RPMS Annual Report documents whether the council’s Biosecurity group is: • Undertaking the stated work programmes; • Achieving stated objectives; • Acting on complaints and enquiries; and, • Implementing the RPMS within budget. The RPMS Annual Report may be subject to the scrutiny of Audit New Zealand. A copy of WRC’s Annual Report for 2011/12 is available to the public and should be read to give a wider picture of WRC’s roles, responsibilities and achievements in managing the region’s environment. While there is no formal channel for submissions to be made or heard, WRC welcomes feedback on the content of either report at any time. Monitoring effects of the Strategy The RPMS must specify how the effects of the Strategy are to be monitored. The term ‘effect’ covers two areas: • the effectiveness of the Strategy in terms of achieving the objectives; and, • the environmental effects of strategy implementation. The bulk of this report should go a long way towards satisfying the first point. The second point, however, is more difficult to quantify. The following discussion looks at a number of environmental effects of implementation of the Strategy. Monitoring the effects of pest management activities on the environment is a requirement under the Biosecurity Act and is consistent with the Resource Management Act 1991. While some monitoring has been carried out as part of internal audit checks, a comprehensive investigation or report has not been compiled by the council. However, the following points highlight positive and negative environmental effects of pest management activities. Positive effects

• Pest populations controlled to target levels - it is not practicable to eradicate the vast majority of plant and animal pests from the region with the current levels of funding and methods available. However, significant gains are being made in specific high priority areas, such as rook control, possum control in priority parts of the region and alligator weed control across the region.

• Output/outcome monitoring - success of operations to control animal pests is

relatively easy to determine. The long term and more difficult assessment is whether native ecosystems are being satisfactorily restored. WRC is actively reviewing the way this outcome monitoring is done with a reviewed reporting format for 2012/13.

• Environmental education - WRC advocates for best practice, protocols and

management options (such as GROWSAFE© certification (or alternative) of pest plant contractors). The information/educational programmes undertaken contribute to positive environmental outcomes by attempting to change attitudes and behaviour. However, the difficulty of how to measure the success of these initiatives remains.

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Negative effects

• WRC uses a range of pesticides, herbicides and biological control agents to effectively manage many pests. There is a wealth of information on the actual and potential effects of these methods and WRC aims to keep at the forefront of new technology. Using any one method persistently is not advantageous, but the consequences of doing nothing are such that the region cannot afford to not act and let areas be destroyed by pests. The key is to minimise the adverse effects of the various methods on the environment and ensure communication is open and accurate. WRC has developed a corporate sustainability policy which aims to better manage toxins/herbicides used in the environment and in as a sustainable way as possible.

• WRC is governed by very tight legislation and industry operating procedures for the

use of controlled substances such as cyanide, 1080 and DRC 1339 under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO). Extensive consultation and public notification is required and WRC is committed to continually improving consultation with landowners. Residue in the environment and deaths of non-target species are important issues, which the scientific community are continually investigating.

• The issue of spray drift is addressed in the Waikato Regional Plan. Contractors

employ best practices and adhere to regional plan requirements when controlling pest plants on WRC’s behalf.

Overall, the council’s view is that the positive benefits of the Strategy outweigh the negative effects.

1.4 Report format This Annual Report should be read in conjunction with the Operative Waikato Regional Pest Management Strategy, 2008-2013 and the 2011/12 RPMS Operational Plan. During the development of the 2006-2016 Long Term Plan (LTP) the opportunity was taken to move to a project accounting format, based on expected community outcomes to manage regional biosecurity. Rather than having separate plant and animal pest programmes, WRC decided to focus on the anticipated outcomes of pest control, in relation to: production, public threat/health and the environment. Potential pest problems are a fourth category of focus. Section two of this report deals with pest management projects under these four outcome areas. Under each RPMS activity area, performance measures have been listed in the left hand columns. The comments in the right hand column note the achievements made for each performance measure. If the performance measure has not been met the reasons are noted. A statement from DOC regarding their RPMS-related pest control obligations and achievements for 2011/12 is provided at the end of section two. Section three focuses on two case studies. The first study looks at biological controls for buddleia in the Waikato region. The second study discusses the results of the recent Priority Possum Control Areas (PPCA) customer satisfaction survey.

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2 Progress in Implementing the Strategy

2.1 The financials The original RPMS expenditure budget for 2011/12 was $6,035,638. It was revised mid-year to include some carry forward expenditure from 2010/11. There were also a number of changes made within budgets during the year which will explain some variances. WRC is required to report against budgeted annual plan figures, not revised figures. Actual expenditure for the year was $5,487,213, a surplus of $548,424 on that budgeted. However, an overall operational surplus of $449,395 was achieved when taking into account revenue received and carry forward expenditure. The table below summarises the end of year financial positions under the four programme headings.

Expenditure

Original

Budget

($)

Actual

Expenditure

($)

Difference ($)

Net

Surplus

(Deficit)

Production pests

Direct control 93,441 79,396 14,045 14,467

Compliance 84,467 69,644 14,823 9,431

Public threats pests

Pests 211,155 162,015 49,140 48,192

Environmental pests

Direct control animals 169,695 143,393 26,302 27,875

Direct control plants 1,082,468 1,376,934 (294,467) (223,077)

Compliance plants 312,688 364,405 (51,717) (107,625)

Priority catchments 528,580 347,250 181,330 186,110

Priority possums 2,352,923 1,948,414 404,509 369,946

Priority biodiversity 755,771 645,573 110,198 118,464

Potential pests

Potential pests 119,100 89,359 29,741 30,397

National partnerships 325,350 260,830 64,520 (24,785)

Totals 6,035,638 5,487,213 548,424 449,395 The operational surplus was a result of a number of possum control operations that commenced during the latter half of the year and work ended up straddling the financial years for various reasons, such as weather and contractor delays. As a result of the surplus, the following carry-over requests were endorsed by the council in August 2012 (totalling $821,871) amending 2012/13 budgets to include:

$115,000 for Peninsula Project possum control at Manaia on the Coromandel, to support DOC-initiated work;

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$5,402 to complete dama wallaby detection work that runs over two financial years;

$258,000 for possum control at Port Waikato, delayed due to increased iwi consultation requirements and contractor capacity. Work is now contracted and scheduled for August to November 2012;

$96,628 for Arohena possum control due to be completed in October/December 2012;

$146,095 for completion of possum ground control at Hauturu. Control was delayed through contractor capacity issues and will be completed in early 2012/13;

$141,970 for initial possum control at Te Kohanga due to increased iwi consultation requirements and contractor availability. Work contracted and scheduled for August to December 2012; and

$58,775 for completion of initial control in the Nukuhakari area that was mostly carried out during 2011/12.

Photo 1: Possum browse of brassica at Pukekawa

2.2 Production pest management 2.2.1 Direct control Some pests in the region are very difficult to identify and/or successfully control. The council funds and manage control of seven pests which threaten regional agricultural production – horse nettle, noogoora burr, nassella tussock/fine stemmed needle grass, variegated thistle, alligator weed (in production situations, and rooks. These are low incidence, high threat pests and the eventual goal is to achieve zero density in the region. Budget $93,441 Actual expenditure $79,396

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Performance Measures

Achievements

Control of known sites of nassella tussock, fine stemmed needle grass, Noogoora bur and alligator weed to protect productive land

Continued reduction in infestations of nassella tussock, fine stemmed needle grass and Noogoora bur. Continued reduction in the ground cover area of known alligator weed infestations on productive land, through annual density monitoring of sites at Cambridge and Orongo.

Achieved Nassella: Several small infestations are at zero density in the region, e.g. a small infestation at Te Puru has been clear now for four years; no plants were found on a previously infested property at Waitete Bay; 20 plants grubbed on the other affected property, down from 177 plants found last year. A new selective herbicide for use in pasture is now available and will be trialled next season. Noogoora bur: Three properties known to be affected, all near Matamata. One maize paddock with small amounts is controlled by the landowner each year. Contractors were used to survey and pull Noogoora bur from two maize blocks. 630 plants were pulled and bagged on one property and 11 on the other. Alligator weed: Cambridge No alligator weed found this year.

Ohaupo: Property fully surveyed twice. Three single plants found over summer. Plants dug out. Last inspection during March nothing found.

Orongo: Spot sprayed twice this season. Low levels but still persists.

Kiroa: Maize property - spot sprayed and surveyed twice.

Te Rore: Dairy farm with extensive infestation has had intensive control carried out. 26 days of spot spraying with knapsack and six inspections to check farm machinery cleaned.

Morrinsville

: A significant new infestation was confirmed on a dairy farm on the Morrinsville-Hamilton Road. Mainly confined to one paddock which was found to be heavily infested, with a few patches in two other paddocks. Five lots of control carried out using boom spraying and spot spraying. It is not known where the alligator weed originated but it appears to have been present for several years and may have come in with farm machinery.

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Rook control at known sites in the region. Project management plan developed, media releases in local papers, and contracts for surveillance and control completed by mid-September 2011. Field surveillance completed to confirm presence of rookeries. Recommend rookeries for control by mid-October 2011. Control undertaken to best industry standard, completed prior to chicks fledging and with no incidents sustained, by 30 November 2011.

Achieved in part A project management plan was developed with Exim Properties Ltd, contracted to assist with ground surveillance and EcoFX Ltd contracted to undertake the rook control. This season was later than prior seasons, surveillance findings indicated control would occur between October and December. Initially, four sites were indentified for control – Mangakino, Cambridge, and two in the vicinity of Matamata. Control was undertaken in only three of the sites. The rooks abandoned one of the Matamata sites after a storm disrupted their nesting attempts. The control technique for 2011/12 differed from previous seasons, due to a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ruling that affected the ability for contractors to undertake nest poisoning using a person underslung beneath a helicopter. Therefore a method to ‘disrupt’ the rooks breeding success rather than directly controlling the rooks was trialled. The trial involved helicopter shooting of the nests and any birds present resulting in the destruction of nests, eggs, chicks, and hens. In total, 18 nests, seven eggs, two juveniles and three adult birds were destroyed. The trial was deemed a success and the contractor will be able to comply with the CAA rulings next year to enable nest poisoning again – this is still the preferred method.

Production benefits of possum control to the market garden/ cropping sector located within the Pukekawa PPCA determined and reported. Relationships developed with a selection of landowners from the cropping sector by 1 December 2011.

Achieved in part. Relationships were developed with vegetable growers within the Te Kohanga, Pukekawa and Onewhero PPCA operational areas.

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Anecdotal and quantifiable evidence compiled of production benefit over the period spring 2011 to autumn 2012.

Analyse outcomes and present findings to the Regional Pest Management Committee by 30 June 2012.

Meetings held with individual vegetable growers to gauge the extent of damage to vegetable crops, mostly brasiccas, prior to WRC-funded possum control. As at 30 June 2012 the report was still being compiled, therefore it was not presented to Regional Pest Management Committee.

2.2.2 Compliance This workstream helps ensure rabbits, gorse, broom, ragwort, nodding/plumeless thistle, tutsan, Australian sedge and purple nutsedge do not adversely affect regional agricultural production. The project is based on a three step enforcement process provided for in the Strategy, and requires rules to be complied with. It involves the council carrying out property inspections, responding to complaints and intervening, where necessary, to solve any neighbouring pest problems. Compliance is achieved through this three step process and is actioned on a complaints basis. Budget $84,467 Actual expenditure $69,644

Performance Measures

Achievements

Inspect properties and localities, on a seasonal basis, to ensure compliance with RPMS standards for the control of widespread pests which affect agricultural production. Recent (last year’s) problem properties re-visited with programmes issued where relevant and outcomes recorded in the Biosecurity Information System (BIS). Other potentially infested properties inspected as resources allow.

Achieved 103 property inspections for gorse, and 110 property inspections for ragwort and thistles recorded in BIS. Two problem properties from the previous year were visited several times and biocontrol agents were released to complement control of thistles.

Follow up valid complaints with property inspections and ensure compliance with RPMS standards. All complaints actioned and followed up with full recording of the compliance process in the Biosecurity Information System (BIS).

Achieved Property inspections were carried out in response to complaints and property programmes issued as necessary and recorded in BIS.

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Initiate appropriate enforcement action against land occupiers who do not comply with RPMS rules for the above pests.

The three step compliance and enforcement process outlined in section 11.3.1 of the Strategy will be followed. All steps of the process fully recorded.

Achieved Relevant for plants only. Pest control programmes were issued for initial non-compliance but no default action was required by council as a result.

2.3 Public threat pest management 2.3.1 Plant and animal pests – compliance Privet pollen and scent may contribute to breathing disorders such as asthma. The berries are poisonous to humans and while privet is a significant environmental pest, its inclusion in the RPMS is primarily for health protection purposes. WRC intervenes to help solve privet issues in neighbouring situations and will work with identified rural communities and townships to achieve ‘total control’ of privet where support is demonstrated. A three step enforcement process is used to ensure compliance with strategy rules. Complaints are generated from rural and urban areas. Budget $211,155 Actual expenditure $161,994

Performance Measures

Achievements

Within resources available, support community-led community initiatives for the control of privet, subject to RPMS criteria. Carry out surveillance of community initiative areas where landownership has considerably changed.

Achieved Surveys carried out in community initiative areas of Tuakau, Otorohanga, Pirongia, Te Kuiti and Kawhia and followed up with property programmes. Raglan Community Board requested information about forming a privet community initiative for Raglan. A WRC summer student carried out a privet survey of Raglan to determine how much of the pest is present and where. Results of the survey were reported back to the community board and a decision made not to proceed with a privet initiative.

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Follow up on community initiative areas surveyed last year, including: Te Kuiti, Kawhia, Kihikihi, Waihi, Paeroa and Tuakau. Liaise with affected parties and community boards over management approaches. Follow up with control programmes, where relevant.

Achieved Reminder letters were sent to properties in Paeroa, Te Aroha and Waihi. WRC pest plant management contractors carried out some direct control of privet at Mangakino, Tuakau and Waihi. Some landowners in Waihi were offered native plants in exchange for removing privet from their property.

Initiate appropriate enforcement action against land occupiers who do not comply with privet control programmes, as outlined in the RPMS. The three step compliance and enforce-ment process outlined in section 11.3.1 of the RPMS is to be followed. Ensure roading authorities and Kiwi Rail plan for, and implement in a staged manner, privet control on transport corridors they are responsible for, in conjunction with biosecurity officers.

Achieved

Pest control programmes were issued for community initiative areas and in response to valid health related complaints as per RPMS provisions. Complainants were required to provide evidence of health effects of privet before the compliance process was initiated. In the majority of cases people were able to provide this through a simple phone call to their doctor who then sent confirmation to the council. The following notices for privet were sent: 166 ‘non-programme’ letters 124 pest plant programmes 16 Notices of Direction (S122) 2 Default Notices (S128). The two default actions resulted in control work being undertaken and the costs billed to the landowners. Statutory land charges were placed on both these properties where default work was carried out. High priority areas for control have been identified for roadside privet and progress is being made in most areas. Most local authorities are making good progress on privet control and there has been excellent work done to date by Thames Coromandel District Council at Whenuakite, Hauraki District Council, Matamata Piako District Council and Waipa

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District Council. Work on State Highways still needs improving although some good work has been carried out, e.g. on SHWY26 between Kopu and Paeroa.

Promote public awareness of the threats and effects of privet.

Provide information and advice through responding to public enquiries. Promotional campaigns, including: media releases, flyers, public events (e.g. field days) carried out where relevant.

Achieved Hamilton pest plant officer had several meetings regarding privet in parts of Hamilton and privet flyers were distributed as a result of this. WRC has provided support for a privet removal programme for a Hikuai wetland restoration project which, to date, has seen 3 hectares of privet mulched.

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Action public enquiries and complaints and respond to requests for information, acting within Waikato Regional Council’s customer services charter, for wasps, ants, magpies and other animal pests that may affect human health.

All phone enquiries/complaints are responded to within 48 hours during the working week. Written or emailed enquiries/complaints are directed to an appropriate staff member and responded to within 48 hours during the working week. Responses may be a mixture of verbal advice, mail out of pest fact sheet, or direction to the council’s Website. All enquiries are entered into the Biosecurity Inquiry Database (BIQ) and signed off when complete.

Achieved All enquiries and complaints were responded to as soon as possible within 48 hours. The majority of responses were verbal in nature involving a phone call. In most cases no further action was required. Additional responses involve mailing fact sheets to customers or directing them to internet links. Relevant enquiries were entered into the BIQ database. And actioned.

Ensure that information on control methods for the above animal pests are available on council’s website and that it is maintained and updated.

Animal pest information available on the council’s website is reviewed annually (by 30 June 2012). Information updated if required following this review (by 31 July 2012).

Achieved Information is checked and updated annually. If mistakes or improvements are noted during the year updates are made annually.

2.4 Environmental pest management 2.4.1 Direct control – animal pests Some pests in the region are difficult to control or require regional coordination to manage them. This project identifies three pests (dama wallaby, koi carp and rabbits) for which direct action by WRC applies in certain circumstances. This project also includes a considerable portion of the Hauraki-Coromandel pest contractor’s contract costs. See also section 2.4.6 on priority biodiversity sites. Dama wallaby exist in the Rotorua District part of the region in relatively low numbers. Much of the control effort relies on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) and Department of Conservation (Bay of Plenty Conservancy) aligning control plans and funding, in a joint effort to achieve effective control across the two regions. Budget $169,695 Actual expenditure $143,393

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Performance Measures

Achievements

Dama wallaby management, within a project team consisting of BOPRC, DOC and council representatives, in the Rotorua district. Attend quarterly operational meetings of the dama wallaby steering group and contribute support to the goal of containment of this pest. Undertake control of a small wallaby population in the Mamaku area in line with the inter-regional wallaby management plan to halt expansion of known population. Monitor possible incursions of dama wallaby immediately outside the gazetted area, in accordance with the inter-regional plan. Investigate and record any reported sightings in the Waikato region.

Achieved in part

Quarterly meetings attended. The interagency wallaby management plan has been updated with a focus on the next five years. The intention was to have this plan signed off by the respective agencies before June 2012. Bay of Plenty Regional Council has since withheld their sign-off pending the preparation of a regional operational plan. Further monitoring of the Mamaku area, using a trained wallaby detection dog, indicated the spread is larger than first thought. The area of expansion must be fully identified before any control operation takes place. This work is ongoing.

Consider providing financial support (on an annual basis) to district/city councils in rabbit prone sites if a long-term management plan is produced by the land owner agencies involved.

Provide technical advice and support to district/city councils and other landowners. Site assessments of rabbit prone sites carried out (using the modified McLean Scale) on receiving complaints from affected neighbouring landowners and followed up by using the three step enforcement process outlined in the RPMS, if assessments exceed level four of the scale.

Achieved WRC has had limited involvement in supporting TLA’s with rabbit control in this financial year. Support for the long term rabbit control plan for sites around Lake Taupo occurs upon request. Other public enquiries were dealt with on a complaints basis. No enforcement processes were required during the year.

Establishment and trial of a fish trap at Lake Waikare (near Huntly) that will successfully stop and trap koi carp from entering the lake. Resource consent changes signed off by 31 August 2011.

Achieved in part Consent to build and operate a fish trap achieved.

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Trap installed and operational by January 2012.

Trap not yet installed. Technical design issues particular to the Lake Waikare site were complex but have been worked through. The trap is expected to be operational by December 2012. At the time of writing the trap was under construction.

2.4.2 Direct control – pest plants Some pests in the region are very difficult to identify and/or successfully control. The RPMS identifies 15 eradication pests (African feather grass, cathedral bells, evergreen buckthorn, climbing spindleberry, Japanese and giant knotweed, old man’s beard, Manchurian wild rice, mile-a-minute, nassella tussock and fine stemmed needle grass, Senegal tea, spartina, and white bryony) which WRC will fund and manage control of. These pests are generally low incidence, high threat plants and ongoing control has occurred for most of them since 2002, or earlier, whenever they are identified. The eventual RPMS goal is to achieve zero density of these pests in the region. WRC may also fund some level of direct control of some containment pest plants where it has been identified as the most practical and effective option of management, including woolly nightshade and contorta pine. Budget $1,082,468 Actual expenditure $1,376,934

Performance Measures

Achievements

Carry out direct control of alligator weed utilising a variety of management and control strategies. Strategies may include physical and chemical control and the use of restricted place notices under the Biosecurity Act.

At least annual control carried out at all known infestations, with reductions in ground cover of alligator weed. Records of direct control compiled in BIS via monthly reports by pest plant contractors and biosecurity staff.

Work with land owners and contractors to ensure efficiencies in control strategies.

Recording of alligator weed at monitoring sites in the Waikato River delta.

Achieved Alligator weed is scattered over approximately 200 hectares in the Waikato River delta area. A comprehensive annual herbicide spraying programme is carried out there and on scattered infestations along the Waikato River downstream of Ohinewai and Lake Whangape. A small amount of alligator weed is also present in the Te Onetea Stream and the Whangamarino River. This is a major concern as there is the very high potential for alligator weed to spread into the Whangamarino wetland – an internationally recognised wetland. Intensive control and surveillance is being carried out in these areas by DOC and the council.

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Recording and monitoring of alligator weed at Waihi, in the Ruahorehore Stream and Ohinemuri River.

A trial ‘weed boom’ was installed in Te Onetea Stream to catch any alligator weed fragments and yellow flag iris seed coming from the Waikato River, in an effort to prevent new infestations establishing in Lake Waikare and Whangamarino wetland. Contractors continued intensive land-based spraying around Lake Whangape and Whangape Stream. Monitoring plots set up in the delta area show alligator weed is reduced to very low levels where intensive control has been carried out. Surveillance was carried out along the Waikato and Waipa rivers. No alligator weed was found in the Waipa River. Alligator weed in Ruahorehore Stream has been controlled and is down to low levels. Risk of downstream dispersal is present due to regular flooding. Downstream surveillance of the Ohinemuri and Waihou Rivers was carried out and no alligator weed was found. A new site of alligator weed was found in a stream at Ruapuke beach. A small patch was controlled. A small patch was also found and controlled during a survey for sea spurge at Aotea Heads. There are numerous infested residential properties, mostly in Hamilton city but a few in other areas such as Matangi, Te Pahu, Morrinsville and Te Aroha, with alligator weed present in lawns and/or gardens. Direct control is carried out by a spray contractor and work is monitored by council staff. Most sites are down to very low levels but pressure needs to be maintained if gains are to continue. An application for a region wide consent was made to WRC and EPA permission was sought to provide for the use of four herbicides over water, to control pest plants such as alligator weed, and other serious aquatic pest plants. Consultation with key groups and iwi was carried out over the past year.

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Assist DOC with spartina control in the region. DOC is the lead control agency and the council will contribute funding for the 2011/12 operational year.

WRC to coordinate direct control of small amount of spartina remaining adjacent and on private land at Kawhia. Surveillance and control of spartina outside the coastal marine area at Thames and in Hauraki rivers. Surveillance results recorded in GIS mapping database.

Achieved In past years WRC has supported DOC with the spartina eradication throughout the Waikato. Last year WRC and DOC decided that WRC would use $12,000 to lead and coordinate the spartina control, due to the main infestations left being on private land and also outside the coastal marine area. WRC carried out control in two parts of the Waikato - Aotea and Thames. The Aotea harbour control was a joint effort with DOC and WRC due to the last spartina infestations in the harbour being found on private property and in the neighbouring coastal marine area. The Thames spartina was in the Waihou River, Waitakaruru and at the Thames marina. The methods involved aerial spraying (joint control with Manchurian Wild Rice), boat spraying from the airboat and ground control. There will need to be some follow-up spartina control in Aotea and Thames. Kawhia control on private land will be tackled in 2012/13.

Carry out annual direct control of other eradication pest plants, for example cathedral bells, knotweed.

Control carried out on known infestations of eradication pest plants, via annual business plans written for each management area. Direct control activities recorded in BIS via monthly contractor and biosecurity staff reports. Direct control projects monitored and results (effects on infestations) recorded.

Achieved Old man’s beard: Present in southern parts of the region, mainly in the King Country area but some sites also present in Taupo district and a few isolated plants in other areas (Hamilton, Cambridge, Miranda). Mainly found in residential gardens or as garden escapes. Control was carried out by contractors and WRC pest management contractors. Plants are treated annually or biennially and while appearing to be reducing in size, remain persistent.

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WRC pest management contractors controlled two small sites near the Desert Road, Taupo area, and small plants at Ohaupo, Cambridge, Karapiro, Te Pahu, Te Poi and Scotsman Valley. Contractors controlled some larger sites near Cambridge and in Te Kuiti. Climbing spindleberry: Infestations in Taupo, King Country, Waipa and Matamata-Piako areas. Control was carried out at most sites. Smaller sites were controlled at Horsham Downs, Cambridge, Springdale and Kawhia. The WRC barge was used for access to some Karapiro river bank areas where celastrus was sprayed or tracks cut, and gun and hose application of herbicide was carried out. Variable results from the previous year’s control suggests method of herbicide application and timing may affect effectiveness. Infestation sizes are reducing, however climbing spindleberry remains at most sites and seedling plants continue. Ongoing work is required. Japanese and giant knotweed: All known Japanese knotweed sites were controlled (Hamilton, Taupiri and Taupo). Giant knotweed is present in one site at Waikino and one in Waihi. Both sites were controlled. Evergreen buckthorn: Progressive control of evergreen buckthorn on residential properties in Hamilton continued. Seedlings regenerating from small, contained infestations at Kuaotunu and Turangi were also controlled. One tree was found and removed at Turangi. Initial control carried out on plants on farmland near Te Kauwhata and Huntly West. Sagittaria: Sagittaria on the Ohinemuri River was controlled twice. The amount of sagittaria being found is reducing due to ongoing control.

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Other Pest Plants

Cathedral bells: Controlled at Thames and several small infestations in Hamilton. Mile-a-minute: There are four small sites known in the region - three in Hamilton and one at Mokau. Regrowth from last year was treated.

Carry out discretionary direct control of woolly nightshade, contorta pine and other containment pest plants, where direct control has been identified as the most practical and effective option.

Control carried out at identified sites – woolly nightshade possibly in the Kauaeranga Valley and Karangahake Gorge areas.

Surveillance will also be carried out to identify outlier sites of woolly night-shade. Direct control and surveillance activities recorded in BIS via monthly contractor and biosecurity staff reports. Direct control monitored and results (effect on infestation) recorded.

Achieved Contorta pine: Present in the Central Plateau area - contorta pine is a serious threat to alpine habitats. Extensive surveillance and control was carried out by WRC in collaboration with DOC. A range of control methods have been employed including drilling or cutting and poisoning on the ground and an aerial technique called ‘basal bark’ which involves applying concentrated herbicide to the stem of the tree. A large number of trees can be covered quickly while minimising the amount of spraying. Trees will be monitored to assess the effectiveness of this technique. WRC, Hawkes Bay and Bay of Plenty Regional Councils’ policies for contorta management are now aligned which should make managing this pest easier in forest land which spans the three regions. Woolly nightshade: Discretionary control carried out at Lake Maraetai, 8 Mile Junction and Oparau (outlier sites) and several other areas where it was deemed the most effective strategy for control. Areas included riverbanks of Kauaeranga Valley, Kennedy Bay, New Chums. Numerous small infestations or single plants were controlled by WRC staff and contractors across the region in areas, where woolly nightshade is less common and in some ‘unmanaged’ areas such as riparian areas.

Control continues in Coromandel on commercial forestry boundaries with harvested blocks being prioritised.

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Undertake proactive management with occupiers of Onewhero Forest prior to harvest of pines, to reduce risk of woolly nightshade ‘explosion’. Development of a weed management plan is critical, by 31 March 2012.

A programme has been initiated in the Karangahake Gorge area with an initial survey, flyers sent to landowners and some assistance for control given to some landowners. Contractors have carried out some control along the river margins.

WRC pest plant officers carried out small scale direct control of several pest plants including:

Other pest plants

Banana passionfruit at Acacia Bay and Whitianga.

Boneseed at Raglan, Port Waikato, coastal cliffs of Ferry Landing and Coromandel.

Mignonette vine in Hamilton. Climbing asparagus at Port Charles.

Direct control, surveillance activities and some monitoring of control were reported in contractor and staff monthly reports. Not achieved Management plan for Onewhero forest woolly nightshade has not yet been developed but felling was just starting at time of writing.

Promote public awareness of the threats of eradication and other direct control pest plants

Provide information and advice through responding to public enquiries. Promotional campaigns, including adver-tising, media releases and flyers, carried out. Active involvement in promoting regional Weedbuster initiatives and working with these groups to successfully implement local control programmes.

Achieved Specific flyers were developed for a number of pest plants including woolly nightshade at Karangahake Gorge and woolly nightshade and tutsan for Oparau and a general pest plant flyer for Port Charles. The Waikato ‘Weed Watch’ newsletter providing an update of pest plant activity was sent to interested parties and key stakeholders. Several talks were given to garden groups and an education day was held at Extreme Waste, Raglan. An information meeting at Oparau about tutsan and woolly nightshade was supported by WRC contractors.

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Advice and support given to numerous community groups carrying out pest plant controlwork through discretionary control, working bees, herbicide and native plant allocation, on-site meetings, presen-tations/workshops and general information. A ‘Weedbusters’ display at the National Fieldays was organised by WRC biosecurity staff.

Contribute to national research carried out by Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd on new agents to control a wide range of plant pests. Attend collective workshops to participate in research decisions. Support field research on biological control agents for priority pest plants, such as woolly nightshade. Undertake releases of agents when available – woolly nightshade lace bug, green thistle beetle, broom gall mite and tradescantia leaf beetle. Monitor recent releases to assess establishment and record in BIS the success, or otherwise, of population establishments.

Achieved WRC, along with other regional councils and DOC, is a member of the national bio-control collective. Managed under a contracted service agreement with Landcare Research NZ Ltd, WRC contributed $60,000 to this programme. The programme funds research and applications for release of new bio-control organisms. Broom gall mite: Three releases were undertaken within the Taupo area. Woolly nightshade lace bug: Three releases were undertaken at Port Waikato, Coromandel Peninsula and Karangahape. Monitoring of all sites was undertaken following winter. Green thistle beetle: Four releases were undertaken at Whitehall, Glen Murray, North King Country and Motumaoho Tradescantia stem beetle: One release undertaken within the Hamilton city area. Tradescantia leaf beetle: one release undertaken within the Hamilton city area Buddleia leaf weevil: Four releases were undertaken, one each at Arapuni and Karapiro and two within the Hamilton city area.

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Commence control of yellow flag iris in important river/wetland systems north of Hamilton, in conjunction with DOC. Focus on lower reaches of the Waikato River and partnerships with Tainui iwi. Surveillance of yellow flag infestations between Hamilton and Huntly and then follow up management using the RPMS compliance process. Direct control by DOC and council contractors on waterways linked to Whangamarino Wetland. Participate in a coordinated management approach to yellow flag iris control with council internal groups (Property Services, River & Catchment Services).

Achieved Direct control of yellow flag iris has been carried out by WRC on isolated infestations along the upper Waikato River and through Hamilton. Contractors have carried out extensive yellow flag control on WRC River and Catchment Services managed land between Huntly and Rangiriri. Yellow flag iris outliers have been controlled at Karapiro, Te Mata, Raglan, and Te Akau. DOC and WRC contractors have controlled isolated patches of yellow flag iris around Lake Waikare.

Other Significant Projects During the year staff worked on a submission to WRC for approval of a region-wide consent to control aquatic invasive pest plants. Concurrently, an application was lodged with the EPA requesting a variation to HSNO regulations to permit the use of up to four different herbicides over water. Currently, for example, when a new site of alligator weed is found a separate resource consent is required. By identifying possible risk mitigation efforts earlier and over a wider area it may be possible to undertake future control work under just one consent.

2.4.3 Compliance – pest plants The RPMS contains rules to achieve regional expectations for controlling environmental plant pests to prescribed standards. This project is carried out to ensure that 12 widespread plants (banana passionfruit, boneseed, climbing asparagus, Darwin’s barberry, Mexican devil, mistflower, mignonette vine, moth plant, pampas, wild ginger, woolly nightshade and yellow flag iris) do not adversely affect regional environmental values. Many of the current rules have been in place since 2002, and others since 1996. A large part of this project is providing advice and information on control methods. The enforcement process used ensures compliance with strategy rules as a last resort. Budget $312,688 Actual expenditure $364,405

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Performance Measures

Achievements

Inspect properties and localities, on a seasonal basis, to ensure compliance with RPMS standards for the control of twelve widespread pests which affect environmental values.

Annual surveillance programmes carried out and infestations recorded. Inspections followed up with advice and/or pest programmes to landowners. Historic and problem properties and localities will be prioritised, as will specific pest plants which may have higher priority due to locality and/or proximity to significant natural areas, e.g. woolly nightshade in outlier areas.

Achieved

Regionally based pest management contractors and staff targeted historical problem areas and properties and responded to valid complaints received. All inspections were recorded in the BIS database. Over 1,500 pest control programmes were issued. Surveillance was carried out by boat in the upper reaches of the Waikato River, through Hamilton, Lake Maraetai, lower Mokau River, Lower Waihou and the Ohinemuri River. Road surveys were carried out in a section of Hamilton, rural Hamilton, Eastern Hauraki, Cambridge, Leamington, Otorohanga, Te Kuiti, Karangahake, Walton, Manawaru, Morrinsville urban and rural, Raglan, Otorohanga, Ngaruawahia, Orini, Te Awamutu and Maunganua Stream Gully, and parts of the Thames Coromandel district. Woolly nightshade generates the largest number of inspections and programmes. The following notices were issued for woolly nightshade across the region:

672 ‘non programme’ letters 89 pest plant programmes 31 Notices of Direction (S122) 3 Default Notices (S128).

Initiate appropriate enforcement action against land occupiers who do not comply with RPMS rules for the above pests. The three step compliance and enforcement process outlined in section 11.3.1 of the RPMS will be followed. All steps of the process fully recorded in the BIS.

Achieved Three default action notices were issued for woolly nightshade which resulted in two statutory land changes (liens) being applied to the property title. The debt was settled in the third case. Several historical liens were discharged during the year.

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Promote public awareness of the threats of compliance pest plants. Provide information and advice through responding to public enquiries. Promotional campaigns (including media releases and flyers) carried out, especially with regard to new containment pest plants in the RPMS.

Achieved Enquires were responded to in a timely manner and recorded within BIS database. A range of promotional strategies are employed for the pest plant programme including: Monthly advertising and quarterly

editorial in the Hamilton Press; Quarterly Waikato ‘Weed Watch’

newsletter; ‘Weedbusters’ exhibit using live plants

at the National Fieldays; Media releases e.g. giant knotweed,

purple loosestrife, alligator weed at Ruapuke, Chinese knotweed;

Talks to groups such as garden clubs. Flyers for specific projects e.g. tutsan,

woolly nightshade Oparau, privet and allergies.

2.4.4 Regional priority catchment protection The long term objective of this project is to address river management, soil conservation and flooding issues in the key regional catchments, through large scale goat and possum control. The medium term objectives of this project are to prioritise the most important catchments first and undertake appropriate pest control in each area. Community consultation and funding of these projects will be important issues to address in the next five years. In developing flood protection proposals for the Thames Coast, a link was identified between the stability and health of upper catchment areas, and the runoff and debris generated from these areas in high rainfall events, exacerbating the impacts of flooding on communities downstream. An integral part of flood mitigation proposals include animal pest control in priority catchments. On the Coromandel Peninsula, WRC has a partnership with DOC (the Peninsula Project) to eradicate/reduce goats and possums over the western side of the Peninsula, with the focus on the Thames Coast. During 2007/08, WRC, BPRC and DOC instigated a new project to investigate the need for integrated catchment management in the Kaimai-Mamaku Ranges, extending from Mt Te Aroha to east of Tokoroa. Other partnerships with DOC are in relation to the Southern Coromandel Ranges and the Whareorino and Waitomo catchments, being part of the newly created West Coast (catchment management) zone. Budget $528,580 Actual expenditure $347,250

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Performance Measures

Achievements

Work collaboratively with DOC in undertaking maintenance possum and goat control in the Peninsula Project area, between Thames and Coromandel townships. Attendance at joint operational planning meetings. Possum control carried out in the Stage 3 Peninsular Project area, achieving a 5% RTC or less by 30 June 2012. Contribute to extension of goat control work in the Whitianga upper catchments (17,000 hectares) to reduce reinvasion into western areas.

Achieved in part Three meetings were attended during the year. Possum control was deferred due to the complexity of community and landowner issues in the Stage 3 area. Funding of $115,000 has been carried forward into the 2012/13 year and will be used to support DOC possum control efforts south of Manaia. Goat control was carried out by DOC but funded jointly depending on land tenure in the core area through the identification of goat hotspots. Goat numbers are very low. An additional area to the east was targeted to help stop reinvasion of goats into this area. The Whitianga catchment was systematically controlled using dogs and hunters.

Investigate, and support where appropriate, opportunities to undertake goat/possum control in the Kaimai-Mamaku Ranges as part of the DOC, WRC and BOPRC integrated catchment management initiative. Working collaboratively with partners in the agency working group and attendance at appropriate meetings of the group. Contribution provided to existing DOC goat control initiatives east of Mt. Te Aroha, by 30 June 2012.

Achieved

Attended all Kaimai Catchments joint agency meetings including forum meetings with community groups. WRC contributed $20,000 toward goat control on the northern Kaimai Ranges with 115 goats destroyed.

Investigate opportunities to undertake initial goat/possum control within the West Coast (Catchment) zone, incorporating Waitomo District and parts of Otorohanga, Waipa & Waikato districts. Decisions made are consistent with industry best practice.

Achieved The WRC River and Catchment Services Group’s West Coast Zone Manager and Nukuhakari PPCA Project Manager were able to collaborate with DOC on a major goat control operation over 8,173 hectares of public conservation and private land surrounding the Whareorino Forest.

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Goat numbers reduced in control area to less than one goat per effective hunter day, by 30 June 2012.

The operation culled 1,553 goats using the DOC goat hunting team. Best practice was followed, utilising dogs and hunters in the field. Area coverage was mapped using GPS track logs and all kill-point coordinates were recorded by GPS. The opportunity to increase the area of goat management next year and beyond around this location is being investigated by WRC and DOC staff. Goat control will be focused into this locale to maximise the biodiversity and catchment health outputs occurring with ongoing possum control.

Hunua Ranges Pest Control Contribute funding for Auckland Council ongoing pest control initiatives within the Hunua Ranges.

Achieved A professional hunting team was contracted by Auckland Council to undertake feral goat control throughout the Hunua Ranges and a surrounding 5 to 10 km buffer. A total of 222 goats were culled. A total of 2,056 hectares was controlled for possums within the Hunua Ranges – all of the land controlled is situated within the Waikato region. The control returned a RTC of 2.89%. In addition to possum control, a trend monitor was undertaken over the remainder of the Hunua Range which returned an RTC of 8.1%. Approximately half of this land is situated within the Waikato region. Feral deer surveillance was also undertaken within the southern boundary of the Hunua Ranges Regional Park. No deer were detected.

Waihou Catchment goat control Contribute funding towards a goat control programme managed by DOC in the southern Coromandel Ranges by 30 June 2012.

Not achieved This work was deferred for 2011/12. A scaled back programme will be carried out during 2012/13, managed by DOC.

2.4.5 Regional priority possum control Possum control, a major regional service provided by WRC under the RPMS, is carried out for a number of reasons:

Protection and enhancement of indigenous biodiversity values (e.g. forests and species);

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Protection of economic values, such as reducing direct competition with pasture growth and farming, forestry and to prevent bovine Tb becoming established again in the region;

Added benefit to the enhancement of catchment values, by maintaining healthy canopies and strong understories; and

To maintain the gains made in areas formerly managed by the Animal Health Board (AHB).

The focus is on developing landscape-scale control across large areas, for example Port Waikato to Raglan, Pirongia to Waitomo and Piopio to Awakino. This is achieved by working closely with DOC and the AHB and creating synergies through the various annual work programmes. Currently, WRC funds and undertakes work in 38 priority possum control areas (PPCAs), covering 373,603 hectares and involving 4,867 land owners. This includes seven former AHB vector control areas which have transitioned into the council’s PPCA programme. Not all PPCA’s receive annual control. This depends on possum densities which are determined through trend monitoring. The programme is slowly expanding and taking in new areas, while still maintaining low densities in maintenance areas. Control work is contracted via a public tender/contract system. Other activities carried out under this programme include landowner awareness and feedback via newsletters published and auditing of contractors to ensure they follow their operational plans, meet legislative requirements and carry out work safely and to best industry practice. The possum control operations outlined below include a mix of initial (new) control work, in the North West Waikato area, at Pukekawa/Onewhero, and former bovine Tb operations in the Central King Country entering the regional funding programme for the first time. Figure one below shows a map of control work carried out during 2011/12. Budget $2,352,923 Actual expenditure $1,948,414

Performance Measures Achievements

Monitoring

Residual trap catch (RTC) trend monitoring implemented within: Waikaretu; Woodleigh; Te Akau South; Whitehall/Te Miro; Te Tapui B Block; Mt Pirongia North Buffer; Arohena S2; Mahoenui (ground); Aria; Mokauiti 1 (ground); and Proposed Nukuhakari S2, for identifying pre-control possum populations or forecasting maintenance control for the 2012/13 financial year.

Achieved

A WRC tender process resulted in Quality Monitoring Services Ltd (Qualmons) being contracted to undertake all RTC monitoring required for the PPCA programme for the next two years.

Results of trend monitoring have been used for both Long Term and Annual Planning processes in addition to prioritisation for the PPCA programme. All trend monitoring completed (except for Nukuhakari S2 which is only proposed) and monitoring results were analysed by 31 October 2011.

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Initial possum control projects Initial possum control completed within:

- Te Kohanga - Waotu - Nukuhakari Sector 1 - Huntly-Rangiriri

Control work completed, or process underway, within set budgets and timeframes. Te Kohanga PPCA

- Contractor consultation processes completed and possum control achieves a mean 3% RTC for any aerial control work, and/or a mean 5% RTC for any ground control work by 30 June 2012.

Nukuhakari-Awakino PPCA

– Funding for this PPCA straddles 2011/12 and 2012/13 financial years. Project timings are aligned with the financial timeframes.

Regional Council implementation processes completed by 1 April 2012.

Achieved in part Te Kohanga – control on the ground in the Te Kohanga sector was deferred until the 2012/13 year. The deferral was due to staff and contractor capacity issues. Additionally, this sector involves a large number of properties with multiple maori owners and no legal administrator. Additional staff time is required to address this so that contractors may legally enter the properties and undertake control. Tendering was completed at the time of writing. Nukuhakari Sector 1 – operation split into two components (ground and aerial control) and timeframes straddle the financial year deadline.

Aerial control was completed in May 2012 with a 1.09% RTC achieved. Ground control commenced in April 2012 and is forecast for completion in August 2012.

Contractor consultation processes and control processes undertaken between 1 February and 31 October 2012. Possum control achieves a mean 3% RTC for any aerial control work, and/or a mean 5% RTC for any ground control work by 31 August 2012. Waotu PPCA

– Contractor consultation processes completed and possum control achieves 5% RTC performance target by 30 June 2012.

Waotu – control completed in December 2011 - 1.57% RTC achieved.

Huntly-Rangiriri PPCA

– Funding for this PPCA straddles 2011/12 and 2012/13 financial years. Project timings are aligned with the financial timeframes.

Regional Council implementation processes completed by 1 April 2012. Contractor consultation processes and control processes undertaken between 1 March and 31 October 2012.

Huntly-Rangiriri – operation split into two sectors - Huntly West and Rangiriri. Control and funding for the Rangiriri sector has been deferred to the 2012/13 year. Ground control of the Huntly West sector began in April 2012 and was forecast for completion by 30 July 2012.

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Possum control achieves 5% RTC performance target by 31 October 2012.

Rangiriri contract was in place and control began in August 2012. Ground control will make up the majority of the Rangiriri sector. However, a small area of aerial control is required – this will take place over the summer period. Therefore, completion is scheduled for February 2013. Refer to locations of these PPCA’s in Figure 1.

Maintenance possum control projects Maintenance possum control carried out in PPCA’s as determined through trend monitoring results from October 2010 analysis. All PPCA maintenance projects are implemented following a robust process involving community engagement, robust and transparent business processes, and within set budgets and timeframes.

Areas identified include: • Port Waikato-Wairamarama; • Opuatia; • Awaroa/Whangape; • Ngutunui; • Hauturu-Awaroa Farmland; • Honikiwi; • Arohena 1 • Paeroa Range-Te Kopia All ground control operations achieve a mean 5% RTC with no high line over 3 possums within the contract timeframes. Any aerial control operations achieve a mean 3% RTC with no high line over 3 possums within the contract timeframes.

Achieved in part Port Waikato-Wairamarama – ground control in this sector was deferred until the 2012/13 year to be undertaken in conjunction with the Te Kohanga PPCA (see above). All tendering and contract processes completed. Opuatia – control was completed in March 2012 and a 1.79% RTC was achieved. Awaroa/Whangape – Control was completed in December 2011 and a 3.06% RTC was achieved. Ngutunui – Control commenced in January 2012. The contractor failed monitoring on both the mean RTC requirement (achieving 5.48%) and the high line maxima requirement (with one RTC line catching 6 possums). Rework was completed at the contractors cost and was completed in June 2012. The second performance monitor, also carried out at the contractors cost, achieved a 0.78% RTC.

Hauturu-Awaroa Farmland – All tendering processes were completed in the first quarter of 2012. Due to contractor capacity WRC granted a time extension to the contractor to undertake the work. Control on the ground commenced in early June 2012. Honikiwi – control was completed in May 2012 and a 1.97% RTC was achieved.

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Arohena Sector 1 – all tendering processes were completed. The prices originally submitted for this area were high and the Tenders Board recommended this sector be re-tendered, resulting in a deferral of the operation to 2012/13. Re-tender and contract processes have been completed. Paeroa Range-Te Kopia – this is a collaborative process involving DOC land and funding, private land in a 50:50 split approximately. DOC funding is scheduled for 2012/13. Control on private land was deferred until 2012/13 to allow for concurrent control of the area. All pre-tender consultation and tender processes were completed. A contract was awarded and control will begin early summer 2013. Refer to the locations of these PPCAs in Figure 1.

Auditing A selected number of PPCA control areas (covering both ground based and aerial control) are audited using council auditing standard operating procedures (SOP). All auditing requirements are met within the timeframes of each PPCA project. Any breaches are resolved within the timeframes of each PPCA project and following the Auditing SOP guidelines.

ERMA reporting for aerial 1080 operations submitted within four months of completion of aerial work.

Achieved in part All operations involving aerial 1080 have been audited. Reporting of these to the EPA (formerly ERMA) remains the responsibility of the contractor.

A member of staff engaged primarily for the purposes of auditing PPCAs has completed training in the use of Vertebrate Toxic Agents, and operating ATV’s. One operation (Hauturu PPCA) had been audited at the time of writing. The following operations received confirmation of bait station decontamination – Te Tapui (Halo), Whareorino PPCA, Ngutunui PPCA, Honikiwi PPCA.

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PPCA implementation process Revision of the draft PPCA Works Implementation SOP into a set of key operating principles for staff to follow. Two sets of principles will be developed to reflect the implementation of both ground and aerial control operations. Revision of SOP into draft key operating principles presented to the Regional Pest Management Committee on 25 November 2011 for feedback and further development. Key operating principles for implementing aerial and ground control adopted by the council by 30 June 2012.

Not achieved Doing the mid-year review, the timing of this task was reviewed and determined a low priority as other operational tasks, such as implementation of control for Nukuhakari and Te Kohanga PPCA, in addition the RPMS review, and Long Term Plan processes, were deemed more important. As of 30 June 2012 a draft revision had been completed and awaits peer review. At this point the key operating principles are generic and reflect both ground and aerial control. No presentation was made to the Regional Pest Management Committee.

Communications The “Insight” regional newsletter produced on PPCA activities and circulated to all landowners in the PPCA areas. Newsletter written and distributed three times during each calendar year. Timeframes fluctuate depending on PPCA activities but approximate timeframes are February/March, July, and October/ November.

Achieved The ‘Insight’ newsletter was distributed three times during the year. At the time of writing the latest edition was being printed. The content of ‘Insight’ is largely comprised of results of operations completed throughout the region and it informs landowners of upcoming operations.

Each Insight publishes a feature item of interest. Over the last three issues the focus has been on biological control of pest plants, the RPMS review and production impacts/benefits on the cropping industry. Most recently a combined possum/rat and goat control operation involving both Council and DOC was detailed.

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Figure 1: 2011/12 Priority Possum Control Operations

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Priority Possum Control Areas Customer Satisfaction Survey A telephone survey was undertaken to ascertain the landowner level of satisfaction in relation to WRC and contractor communication along with whether any changes in relation to birdlife and canopy cover have been observed. Nearly three quarters of landowners surveyed were satisfied or very satisfied with the communication from WRC staff before and during possum control. Over 80% of landowners were satisfied or very satisfied with the level and type of communication with contractors. Around 50% of landowners had observed an increase in native bird numbers and noted positive changes in terms of foliage and bush regeneration. A more comprehensive report on this survey can be found in case study two at the end of this report.

2.4.6 Regional priority biodiversity sites The Waikato region is a unique biodiversity stronghold with a variety of ecosystems. These ecosystems provide critical habitats for indigenous fauna, flora and micro organisms. Indigenous systems also provide a range of fundamental ecological functions. They are part of the natural heritage of the region. However, large areas of these ecosystems are threatened by introduced plant and animal pests, intensification of agriculture, land modification and overall development of the region. Approximately 22 endemic species have become extinct in the region, and 223 indigenous species are known to be threatened. The ongoing loss of New Zealand’s indigenous biodiversity has been the subject of a national strategy. There is a need for WRC to identify and prioritise parts of these ecosystems in order to manage and protect them most effectively. This project aims to enhance, or at least maintain, significant indigenous ecosystems (remnant forest and wetlands) on privately owned land across the Waikato region, through working cooperatively with individual landowners, community groups, iwi groups, district councils and DOC. It is one of a range of activities being undertaken as a means to address the decline of biodiversity values in the Waikato region. The project takes a site-led, rather than a species-led, approach to pest management. This allows WRC to take a more holistic and integrated approach to pest control based on the particular threats to a site. It is not just about pest control either. Stock exclusion through fencing, replanting of native species and land acquisition are other management methods to combat the decline of biodiversity values. Budget $755,771 Actual expenditure $645,573

Performance Measures

Comments

Undertake ship rat and possum maintenance control to enhance native bird (tui) nesting success at sites within the Hamilton Halo area (20 kilometre radius from the city centre) by 30 December 2011.

Achieved

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Achieve a 5%, or less, rat tracking index (RTI) at Tirohanga Road, Pukemokemoke and Te Tapui halo sites. Undertake ship rat and possum initial control in the Hakarimata Ranges. This operation is unlikely to proceed during the 2011/12 year and will be deferred until the Spring of 2012.

Contractor performance results from monitoring were excellent: Tirohanga Road and Pukemokemoke both achieved 0% RTI and Te Tapui achieved a 1% RTI. Not Achieved Has been deferred indefinitely. DOC changes in allocating budgets in line with their NHMS prioritisation database may show this site as being high in ecological priority for fund allocation. Iwi are also working with DOC to move forward on this issue.

Undertake rat trend monitoring to ascertain the density of rats at the following Halo sites: Tirohanga Road Pukemokemoke Te Tapui A

Monitoring carried out several times during the treatment period.

Achieved Trend RTI’s are designed to monitor the rate of increase in rat numbers after control. Generally speaking, these results show that rat and possum numbers remain very low throughout the bird breeding season. This greatly improves fledgling success. The before-control and after-control RTI results for rat numbers are listed below by site.

Tirohanga Road: Before control: Aug 2011 = 71% After control: Jan 2012 = 10%

Pukemokemoke: Before control: Aug 2011 = 17.43% After control: Jan 2012 = 0%

Te Tapui: Before control: Aug 2011 = 15% After control: Jan 2012 = 0%

Significant Natural Areas (SNA’s) management project – implementing pest control or other protection options at sites identified and coordinating with existing PPCA work programmes, where appropriate. Develop a strategy to implement pest control work and other enhancement work on selected sites identified from the SNA database, including geothermal SNAs by 31 March 2012. In most cases, pest management will be just one aspect of an SNA enhancement plan to be developed with participation landowners.

Achieved SNA sites identified and work undertaken includes: Lake Harihari (Waitomo) fencing and

planting (photo below).

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Establish condition monitoring processes at selected sites to track changes in forest health resulting from pest control. Provide technical advice and monitoring assistance to help manage pest species within the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust (MEIT) project, as required. Participation in MEIT pest committee meetings.

Wharekawa Harbour Coromandel - Salt

water paspalum control with herbicide. Lake Rotokutuku (Waitomo) fencing Hamerareha Wetlands (Waihou)

fencing to keep stock out of wetland (photo below).

Bridal Veil Falls – rat and possum

control in conjunction with DOC. Halo Sites Rat and possum control was undertaken on a performance basis at the Tirohanga Road, Pukemokemoke Reserve and Te Tapui Reserve sites. Comprehensive bird monitoring at Halo sites has been contracted to Landcare Research to be conducted in spring 2012. A Bellbird survey will be undertaken by Landcare Research in spring 2012 within Hamilton City following the release of Bellbirds in 2010. Geothermal Sites Plant pest control continued to maintain and enhance the natural character of the geothermal features at the following sites: Otumuheke Stream; Crown Park; Te Kopia; Craters of the Moon; and Ohaaki Steamfield. An assemblage of unique geothermal vegetation occurs at these sites, but is under threat from invasive introduced plant species such as pampas and wilding pines.

A monitoring tunnel placement was designed in accordance with national protocol (RTI) to monitor mouse numbers on Maungatautari. MEIT staff maintains and collect results.

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Community pest control assistance provided to groups that are undertaking pest control in their local area, on their own initiative and require support by way of advice and funding.

By 22 August 2011, invite community groups to apply for pest control funds. Assessment of applications and allocation of funds completed by 30 September 2011.

Achieved Up to $75,000 was made available to 26 groups or individuals to undertake animal and or plant pest control Waikato region wide. The majority of groups receiving funding were restoration groups with the funding to pay for traps and toxins to undertake pest control.

Undertake direct control and liaise with community groups (through a dedicated contractor) on the Coromandel Peninsula, to enhance district biodiversity values.

Any discretionary control undertaken is to be summarised monthly in reports to the council.

Co-funding control work with Thames Coromandel District Council (TCDC) is managed.

Facilitation with community groups is reported monthly, noting annual and long term objectives of each group as they are established.

Monthly report notes groups/schemes liaised with over the period.

Achieved

Monthly reports were received.

Co-funding control work this year has seen Thames Coromandel District Council steadily increasing their role in the interagency partnership, with pest control coverage being set up and or carried out on more parks/reserves, cemeteries and the transfer recycling stations around the peninsula.

The control work carried out on these areas is predominantly possum, rabbit and rat control using best practice trap box sets and or bait stations. Where possible these newly protected areas are combined with and worked in conjunction with the local community initiative scheme programmes so trap checking/servicing and bait station loadings are carried out in the same time frames. Discretionary pest control and facilitation with community groups was carried out at 12 sites on the Coromandel, including New Chums and Cooks beaches, Port Jackson and Whangapoua.

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Provide bat awareness in the Hamilton area through the Project Echo initiative. Create awareness of long-tail bats and the threats to their survival in Hamilton and surrounding areas through: - trial bat roosting boxes, in selected

areas, to establish whether they are suitable habitat enhancement tools.

- Promote the use of bat detectors

(loaned out by the council) by members of the public to record presence /absence of bats in their area.

Achieved Project Echo Website launched. The link to the website is: http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/Environment/Natural_resources/Biodiversity/Project-Echo

/.

A total of 12 bat roosting boxes have been established where bats are known to be present. Five bat detectors are available for loan from the council. This service has proved to be very popular.

Photo 2: Pampas in geothermal area near Taupo

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2.5 Potential pest management 2.5.1 Potential plant and animal pests There are a number of pests that have the potential to become invasive organisms in the region. There is a regional need to manage the risks imposed by these pests. The pests include those not yet found in the region, those known to be in isolated parts of the region but could translocate to new sites, or known to be across the whole region (in varying densities), but their effects are not fully understood. WRC needs to be able to respond to new incursions through: - an effective surveillance programme to detect incursions - an ability to apply direct control measures as quickly and effectively as possible. Budget $119,100 Actual expenditure $89,359

Performance Measures

Achievements

Develop a pragmatic surveillance strategy, with resulting response procedures, for the region, to respond to high priority potential pests. Identify useful and exisiting avenues for the reporting of new pest plants and new pest plant infestations and investigate the potential for incorporating exisiting avenues into the development of a practical reporting and surveillance methodology for a range of specific RPMS pest plants and potential pest plants. Respond, where appropriate to potential pest incursions, where there is evidence that proactive control would be beneficial. BIS database capability reviewed to ensure user friendly input, retrieval and manipulation of data is possible.

Achieved in part The development of a surveillance network is underway. Workshops have been held to determine how best to utilise current networks (e.g. agricultural contractors and field representatives from herbicide and livestock companies) to ensure pest plants incursions are reported. Direct control was carried out on several pest plants in the potential category in including sagittaria, gunnera and bushy asparagus. Several new incursions were found including one small site of Chinese knotweed (controlled by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)), two small infestations of purple loosestrife (both controlled). A new-to-New Zealand plant was discovered on a west coast beach. Euphorbia paralias (sea spurge) is a serious pest in parts of coastal Australia and is thought to have drifted to New Zealand from there. MPI, WRC and DOC coordinated a response and the infestation was removed. Follow up control and surveillance is planned by MPI.

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Photo 3: Euphorbia paralias (sea spurge)

2.5.2 National partnerships The RPMS signals that partnerships with MPI (formerly MAF) in particular, would be considered. Current relationships of a formal nature with MPI include the National Pest Plant Accord (the Accord) and the management of white bryony and Manchurian wild rice. MPI warrants council staff/contractors to implement the Accord on its behalf, while WRC is contracted by MPI to manage the two national invasive pest plants. Other partnership work in the past has been in relation to assisting with one-off projects such as surveillance/monitoring associated with Asian gypsy moth and assisting MPI and the Central North Island Didymo Action Group with river monitoring surveys for didymo presence/absence. Some biosecurity incursion responses would, in WRC’s opinion, require central government to be the lead agency (e.g. marine and forestry incursions) and others that WRC would potentially partner with MPI (e.g. National Pest Plant Accord). Budget $325,350 Actual expenditure $260,830

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Performance Measures

Comments

Inspect all known nursery and plant retail outlets in the Waikato region, to ensure that they comply with the National Pest Plant Accord, in relation to the selling, propagating or distribution of plant pests that are banned. All known nursery and plant retail outlets are inspected at least annually, by 30 June 2012. Results are recorded in the NPPA database. Provide information and advice to outlets and provide NPPA booklets.

Achieved Most nurseries in the region were visited and the NPPA information disseminated. A sample of suspected pig’s ear Cotyledon orbiculata was removed and grown on at AgResearch to confirm identification. Once the plant flowered it was confirmed as pig’s ear. By this time no further plants were found in nurseries. Taupo nurseries were found to be selling Prunus campanulata. No other banned plants were found in nurseries or retail outlets. However, water hyacinth was posted for sale on ‘Trade Me’ by a Waikato resident. This was tracked down and MPI was advised.

Implement, with MPI, an ongoing partnership, and contracts for the management and control of Manchurian wild rice and white bryony. Undertake control, as appropriate, under these contract provisions. Direct control carried out for Manchurian wild rice and white bryony as per MPI contracts, within budgets agreed.

Reports completed as per MPI specifications.

Achieved White bryony and Manchurian wild rice are classed as National Interest Pests (NIPs) by MPI. WRC has agreed to manage these pests in the Waikato under a partnership agreement with MPI. The white bryony surveillance and control in Aria and Mokauiti was carried out by subcontractors. Control was successful with all known white bryony plants found destroyed in two rounds of control. The number of plants found is down to low levels. Most surveillance was completed with one high risk property remaining to be surveyed along with some difficult to access areas.

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Manchurian wild rice control was carried out by WRC staff based in Paeroa and the WRC pest plant contractor for Waipa. All sites were controlled twice in the Hauraki area. The Horahora and Cambridge infestations were controlled once. Monitoring of both programmes was carried out and annual reports were written and submitted to MPI.

Phytophthora taxon Agathis (PTA) – kauri dieback project Collaborative and timely responses to address kauri dieback, that includes MPI, the Department of Conservation, Auckland Council, Northland Regional Council, Waikato Regional Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Provision of annual funding to assist with the implementation of this project, such as education and awareness, and site inspections to confirm or inspect for the presence or absence of PTA in regional kauri stands.

Achieved Undertook two presentations – one of which was to EcoQuest – a privately run tertiary institution working with students from the University of New Hampshire in the United States. Coordinated activities for DOC and WRC staff within the Waikato and Bay of Plenty areas. Coordinated with Auckland Council, as per the WRC/AC Memorandum of Understanding for delivery of biosecurity programmes and services within the Hunua Ranges. Installed new vehicle and bike washing facilities within the park. In addition, an aerial survey of all kauri stands within the Ranges was undertaken. Follow up surveillance of all kauri identified with ill-thrift found no evidence of kauri dieback. One enquiry required a visit to a roadside in Rototuna where Hamilton City Council-planted kauri were dying. There were no PTA-like symptoms. Death of trees thought to be from a poisoning event. Field trip to a Coromandel forest identified three suspect trees. The locations of the trees were given to the Programme Manager and soil sampling will be taken as part of the second round of the surveillance programme.

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Photo 4: Kauri exhibiting ‘ooze’ associated with Kauri Dieback

2.6 Crown RPMS obligations 2.6.1 The Crown, the Biosecurity Act and regional councils’ expectations The Council spends approximately $6 million a year on pest control, spending that is an important part of its work to protect the health of the regional economy and the environment. This money helps deal with a range of animal pests that threaten primary production and biodiversity and with pest plants that infest pasture and clog waterways. The Waikato’s reliance on agriculture, forestry and tourism makes it particularly vulnerable to the economic threats posed by any uncontrolled introduced pests. WRC wants to make sure the region is well prepared to handle these existing pests and any new threats that may emerge in the future. The council is also determined to extract the greatest value from the spending on pest control, particularly by ensuring that central government is paying its fair share.

2.6.2 Department of Conservation (DOC) funded projects – 2011/12 WRC currently has an informal annual agreement with DOC to a contribution which specifically targets animal and plant pest problems on public conservation land which exacerbate pest problems on neighbouring privately owned land. The total amount of funding under this programme is limited to $140,000 per annum. The following table outlines the RPMS/DOC works programme completed during 2011/12.

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Area or name of reserve

Pest species

Budget

Kaimai-Mamaku FP - western side Climbing spindleberry $ 600

Taupo-Turangi aerial pest plant survey Climbing spindleberry $10,000

North Waikato Wetlands Alligator weed/yellow flag $25,000 Te Kauri SR - Kawhia Cathedral bells, ginger $ 2,000 Ramaroa Rd - Piopio SR Old Mans Beard $1,200 Karangahake Gorge Woolly nightshade, pampas $13,000 Kaimai-Mamaku western boundary Pampas, broom, privet, ginger $5,000

TDC Rabbit Management Plan (Taupo lake shore reserves) Rabbits $6,000

Taupo reserves, Mine Bay SR and Oruatua RR, Awaroa RR

Rum cherry, Taiwan cherry, Pinus contorta $7,000

Mokau Woolly nightshade, pampas $7,000 Kawhia South (Awaroa SR, Hauturu West CA) Ginger, pampas $6,646

Maniapoto aerial pampas (coastal) Pampas $19,392

Maniapoto general boundary and roadside control Gorse, ragwort, ginger, pampas $1,000

Kaihere Woolly nightshade, pampas $2,000

Raglan Woolly nightshade, gorse, privet, ginger, pampas $2,000

Waikato general boundary and roadside control

Woolly nightshade, gorse, privet, ginger, pampas $5,000

Waikawau Bay Woolly nightshade $3,800 Whenuakite Woolly nightshade $3,000

Cathedral Cove Woolly nightshade, gorse, moth plant $14,000

Monument Road Gorse, asparagus, cathedral bells, privet etc $0

DOC Reserves within PPCAs Possums $9,500 Total $143,138

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3 Case Studies

3.1 Biological control releases in the Waikato region - buddleia Background Biocontrol uses one living organism to control another. A biocontrol organism is referred to as a biocontrol agent. The plants that have become pests in New Zealand have usually been introduced without their natural predators from their native origin, which help keep them in check and prevent them becoming invasive. Biocontrol does not aim to eradicate a pest plant but rather to help reduce the impacts of the pest plant by making it less competitive. The buddleia (Buddleja davidii) biocontrol programme is an excellent example of a wider industry lead project to deal with a pest that is having significant effect on the forestry industry. Buddleia, native to China, was brought to New Zealand as an ornamental plant. It has since naturalised and become a problem for industries such as forestry as it naturally grows in typical lowland forest e.g. Te Urewera National Park. Buddleia is a fast growing, woody, deciduous, perennial shrub that can grow quickly to as tall as three meters. It forms dense growth, crowding out all other plants. It is difficult to kill and even more difficult to prevent reinvasion. Follow up is required ideally every six months.

Photo 5: Buddleja davidii Buddleia is estimated to cost the forestry industry up to $2.9 million a year in control costs and lost production. The problem is that the fast growing weed out-competes newly planted pine (Pinus radiata) trees causing reduced growth and increased mortality. The trees are most vulnerable to competition during the first five years after planting. Research shows that both buddleia height and leaf area must be reduced if its competitive advantage is to be lessened. Trials indicate that if over 30% of buddleia foliage can be removed then there is likely to be a significant reduction in height. The ‘Better Border Biosecurity’ programme helped fund a joint biocontrol project by Scion Forest Protection group and the forest industry to bring in to New Zealand an agent that will reduce the effect of buddleia on the forestry industry. The biological control agent had to meet a number of criteria in order to be successful within the forestry industry:

Buddleia has the greatest impact on the plantation forest during the establishment phase of the young pine trees. Therefore, a buddleia biological control agent must

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impact buddleia within three years of planting new pines, in order to be of value to the forestry industry.

To help the establishment of young pine trees. Weeds must be kept less than 60% of crop height

Buddleia is throughout the pine plantations covering hundreds of hectares. Large areas buddleia needs to be controlled.

The biological control agent must be highly mobile to locate new sites over hundreds of hectares.

After a search in China, the buddleia leaf weevil (Cleopus japonicus) was found that met these criteria;

Larvae most damaging stage

Weevils lay 1-20 eggs per day, and

Weevils readily fly. The first New Zealand release of the buddleia leaf weevil was Spring 2006. This programme initially focussed on the forestry industry but has since moved with the help of WRC into other areas where buddleia is a pest. Since its release in 2006, the buddleia leaf weevil has established in the plantation forestry blocks between Tokoroa and Taupo. The weevil has great potential for fast population growth as the adults are fairly long-lived (up to a year) and females can lay up to 20 eggs a day. The result is overlapping generations with adults, larvae and eggs all present at the same time. Dispersal was originally relatively slow. Dispersal rates from the original release sites ranged on average from 30 to 100 m over six months (measured over three years), but once established their dispersal is going well with the weevil naturally turning up in Taupo and Tokoroa.

Photo 6: Life stages of buddleia leaf weevil Buddleia is very difficult to kill and recovers well from heavy browsing. With sustained browsing pressure from the buddleia leaf weevil over consecutive years buddleia is showing a reduction in growth and new leaves. The best time to see the weevils’ damage is in the autumn. Since the successful establishment on the buddleia leaf weevil in central Waikato, WRC staff are now collecting agents and spreading it through other parts of the region. Over the past 12 months WRC has made releases around Arapuni, Karapiro and Hamilton. These sites will be monitored and more releases will be made in the coming season. This project serves as an excellent example of industry and other agencies working together to solve serious pest plant problems. The next serious pest plant problem that industry could work collaboratively on and benefit from is aquatic weed biocontrol. Energy companies could potentially lose millions of dollars and also spend thousands of dollars on aquatic pest plants within the Waikato River if they are not managed well.

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Photo 7: Defoliated buddleia due to the buddleia leaf weevil (at first glance it appears that these bushes had been sprayed)

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3.2 Priority Possum Control Areas Customer Satisfaction Survey Background The Council’s Priority Possum Control Area (PPCA) possum control programme has been implemented in its current form for close to eight years. It is important WRC has an understanding as to how the possum control has been received by landowners within the PPCAs and to gauge if any changes are required in terms of the way in which the council and contractors undertake possum control operations. A telephone survey was developed by WRC staff and tendered to organisations specialising in telephone surveys. The tender was awarded to Versus Research Limited – an organisation that has undertaken many telephone surveys on behalf of the council. The main objectives of the survey were to: Understand the level of landowner satisfaction with communications from

contractor and council staff throughout the control operations; Understand the level of landowner satisfaction with contractors undertaking

control; and Ascertain any changes observed by landowners, for example, in terms of birdlife

and canopy cover. The Survey The survey questions were developed by one of the WRC’s senior social scientists in consultation with Biosecurity-Heritage staff. One of the requirements was to ensure that an equal proportion of landowners were surveyed from each of the 31 PPCAs to ensure an overall regional picture was achieved. This was done through allocating a unique identifier for each of the PPCAs to ensure Versus were able to distinguish between them. WRC provided Versus with a total of 1,125 telephone numbers of landowners of which 353 (31%) were interviewed. The survey was split into four parts: Council staff communication/interactions with landowners; Contractor communication/interactions with landowners; Effects observed by landowners due to council-funded possum control; Possible future changes to possum control.

The landowners were asked a total of 26 questions. The survey took between 8 and 10 minutes to complete. Results of the Survey Council Staff Communication/Interactions with Landowners A total of 73%, or nearly three quarters of landowners contacted were satisfied or very satisfied with the way in which possum control was explained to them and with the information WRC staff provided landowners. The results, however, were somewhat lower in terms of overall treatment by staff with 58% being satisfied or very satisfied. Further, 37% of landowners were satisfied or very satisfied with communication from staff after control had been completed.

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In relation to the PPCA publication, ‘Insight’ 81% of landowners stated they received this publication, and 60% found the publication informative. Contractor Communication/Interactions with Landowners In relation to contractor contact with landowners, 84% of landowners surveyed stated they had been visited in person by contractors prior to possum control and 81% were either very satisfied or satisfied with the way in which control was explained and the information they had received from contractors on possum control. During control operations 71% of landowners were either very satisfied or satisfied with the communications with contractors. In relation to care contractors had taken on landowner properties, 81% were either very satisfied or satisfied and the overall treatment in general by contractors also received the same scoring. Effects of Possum Control Programme Landowners were asked if they had observed possums since control had been undertaken. A total of 40% of landowners stated they had seen possums and of the 40%, 63% had seen possums within the first year of control. Overall, 76% of landowners had observed reduction in possums since control had been undertaken. Regarding increases in native birds, 51% of landholders stated that they had observed more. The native birds with the largest reported increase were tui (76%) and kereru (63%), followed by bellbird, fantail and morepork. Other increases in native species included kaka, pukeko and tomtit. In terms of changes in foliage or bush regeneration, 47% of landowners stated they had noticed native bush regrowth, more baby/green tips, more fruit/berries on native trees, and more native trees flowering included rata. In relation to improvements in farm/garden production, 35% of landowners reported better fruiting and less interference from possums in relation to fruit, vegetables and roses. A total of 47% of landowners stated that, in addition to council-funded control they undertake their own control and, of the 47%, 58% undertake shooting, 35% set traps and 16% replenish existing bait stations. Sixty three per cent stated they would like to receive information on other pests. The top three pests were mustelids, rats and rabbits/hares. Other pests included magpies, feral cats, goats and also plant pests. Possible future changes to possum control In relation to future control, landowners were read the following opening statement and they were asked to agree or disagree on two further statements. The opening statement was:

“The council may change its possum control to create more large scale areas with low possum numbers and more defensible boundaries. Better boundaries will reduce the time between treatments and reduce costs.”

The first statement the landowners were asked to agree or disagree with was:

“The money saved could be used to control other predators – like stoats and rats – in smaller sites to give better protection to birds and other species.”

A total of 59% of landowners either agreed or agreed strongly with this statement.

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The second statement was:

“Automatic funding for possum control in former Animal Health Board managed areas may cease. This would save money but former TB areas might not continue to get possum control if the Animal Health Board withdrew.”

A total of 58% of landowners disagreed or disagreed strongly to this statement. Conclusion The survey indicated the majority of landowners within the PPCAs are appreciative of the possum control funded by WRC and a high proportion are seeing some positive effects since possum control has been undertaken. The survey highlighted that a greater amount of communication with council staff, once control has been completed could assist with landowner overall satisfaction. Contractors undertaking control are communicating well with landowners who, on the whole, are happy with the way in which the control is carried out. The Insight publication is well circulated but content may need to be altered somewhat to provide landowners with the types of information they would find useful, the control of other pest species. It would appear there is support for savings made to be used on controlling other pests on smaller sites to give better protection to birds and other species. However, landowners are less happy with the possibility that former Animal Health Board managed areas may not automatically be guaranteed ongoing council-funded possum control. It is anticipated similar telephone surveys will be carried out every two to three years to continue to monitor landowner satisfaction in relation to council-funded possum control.

Photo 8: Kereru (native wood pigeon) in large numbers feeding on pasture - sign of low predator numbers (Source: Arthur Hinds)