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A review into the deaths of 25 kiwis in Hawke’s Bay seven years ago found that Department of Conservation systems were “inadequate”.
The government agency accepted the review, released in a report today, and said it was “committed” to making the necessary changes.
But Forest & Bird was disappointed that it took five years and a change in leadership to get to this point.
Between 2016 and 2018, the Department of Conservation (DOC) received complaints about kiwi handling practices and kiwi deaths at Cape Sanctuary at Cape Kidnappers.
The independent review by David Shanks, commissioned by DOC director-general Penny Nelson, investigated the complaints of mishandling and mismanagement of kiwi and the causes of their death.
It found a range of factors contributed to 25 kiwi deaths – including staff turnover, a very dry summer, and predation.
The sanctuary also had a practice of offering kiwi tours to paying visitors, where they could handle the kiwis.
But while described as “unlawful and unnecessary”, the review found the handling of kiwi did not contribute to their deaths.
Danny Rood/Supplied
DOC director-general Penny Nelson said the agency should have done better.
It did, though, find DOC’s systems were inadequate, and recommended “significant improvements” to the issuing, documentation, monitoring, and reporting of permissions under the Wildlife Act.
It also recommended an improved complaints process.
“DOC should have done better and we accept all the review’s recommendations. It’s our responsibility to protect kiwi and we need to do everything we can to help them thrive,” Nelson said.
“We’re committed to making the changes within DOC that we need to. We’re already working on some recommendations and have a plan in place to implement the rest over the next one to two years.
She said it would review existing wildlife authorities to make sure the right checks and balances were in place.
“Some of the recommendations have already been implemented, while others will take more time.
“We have already worked closely with Cape Sanctuary in the past seven years to improve the way kiwi are managed there.”
VANESSA LAURIE/Stuff
Forest & Bird first raised concerns about the wellbeing of kiwi at Cape Sanctuary in 2018 (file photo).
Forest & Bird welcomed the report but questioned why it took five years.
In 2018 Forest & Bird contacted DOC about the wellbeing of kiwi at Cape Sanctuary after the society’s representative on the Kiwi Recovery Group became aware of the little spotted kiwi deaths.
From early 2018 to late 2019, the independent conservation organisation raised a series of concerns about the handling and management of kiwi, the deaths, and the department’s processes before and after it learnt of those deaths.
In October 2019 these concerns were formally conveyed to the then director-general of DOC and it made a commitment to investigate and respond.
Chief executive Nicola Toki said kiwi were incredibly special to New Zealanders, and she could only imagine how people would feel when they learnt of the 25 kiwi deaths.
“New Zealanders put their trust in DOC to look after precious species like kiwi. We need government departments to fulfil their responsibilities, especially when it comes to wildlife that can’t speak for itself.
“It’s disappointing that it’s taken five years and a change in leadership at DOC to get to this point. The current director general has done the right thing in commissioning this independent report.”
”The independent report shows all too clearly that change is needed. The recommendations need to be fully implemented as far as possible.”
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