16 Boffa Miskell Ltd | Pest Animal Management Plan | Wharekirauponga Compensation Package | 30 May 2022 5.0 Control methods - Aerial 1080 5.1 Overview Aerial 1080 remains the most viable control tool in particularly rugged terrain, is known to result in significant biodiversity gains and has been successfully used at other sites where native frog recovery is occurring (including the Hunuas and Whareorino). Aerial 1080 will be used in Year 1 - 2 of control to suppress target species populations. This initial knock-down operation will initially suppress pest numbers and control can then primarily occur via the bait station and trap network. Aerial 1080 application is the most efficient control option for rats, stoats, cats, and possums, especially in remote, difficult terrain. Kill rates for possums using 1080 are now usually above 90 per cent. Kill rates for rats using 1080 are often close to 100 per cent (Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, 2011). There is less information on kill rates for stoats using 1080, but studies have shown that most or all of a stoat population can be killed in a 1080 operation. Recent research, has shown 1080 also significantly reduces populations of mice and hedgehogs (Dilks et al., 2020). A further benefit of using 1080 at Wharekirauponga is the reduction in the need for trap checks and application of ground-based toxins. This reduces the impact of people working in sensitive habitat areas (particularly in areas where there are risks to species such as frogs by trampling, or biosecurity concerns such as kauri dieback spread).With modern techniques – such as prefeeding with non-toxic baits, and using helicopters with GPS systems – aerial 1080 can knock down possum, rat and stoat numbers in areas of any size in two to three weeks, even during a population irruption (Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, 2011). DOC has undertaken aerial 1080 drops in the southern Coromandel previously, and this work is ongoing. The last 1080 operation occurred on 7 November 2021. Rat tracking indices before the aerial application were 71% TTI, and dropped to 4% TTI on 22 December 2021 following the application (Department of Conservation, 2021c, 2021b). Aerial 1080 is therefore recommended as an option for the WAPMP as part of the wider plan for the Coromandel to effectively reduce target pest numbers and offer the most benefit for native biodiversity 5.2 Planning The area proposed for aerial 1080 control is shown in Map 3. Planning should begin 2-3 years before an aerial 1080 operation. Planning should include key stakeholders, including iwi, hapū, local community, and DOC. During this stage, the exact area to be covered by the operation, the timing, and the people involved (including an Operations Manager, persons holding a Controlled Substance license, and pilots). Users of 1080 must be both an Approved Handler (AH) and hold a Controlled Substances Licence (CSL). There are multiple conditions and consents required that must be completed. As per the DOC website, these include: • Gaining consent of the landowner/occupiers within the operational area; • Notifying neighbouring landowners, schools, early childhood centres, veterinary and health services about the planned operation;
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