New regulations under the Resource Management Act will bring the control of 1080 under national, rather than regional, control.
Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith announced the changes on Sunday, following consultation last year. He said the new approach would standardise the rules for using poisons like 1080, “rather than the current system of different rules in different regions”.
“I know there is opposition to poisons like 1080 and brodifacoum but they are essential tools to saving New Zealand’s natural heritage,” he said.
“Islands like Tiritiri Matangi are only so prolific in birdlife because of the use of these poisons in the past. These new regulations will help us create more special sanctuaries for the future and contribute to the Government’s goal of a Predator Free NZ by 2050.”
The new regulations were covered by local media, including:
Radio NZ: New nationwide policies for 1080 to be rolled out
TVNZ: New 1080 poison rules will take control out of councils’ hands
Stuff.co.nz: Rules on 1080 poison drops taken out of regional local govt hands
Newstalk ZB: New nationwide 1080 rules announced
TVNZ: Backlash expected as Govt takes pest control into its own hands
Radio NZ: 1080 rules will exclude community, say campaigners
Newstalk ZB: Rachel Smalley: Nationwide 1080 policy a step in the right direction