No Pests In the West Hui, Tunapo Station

On a wet and grey Saturday morning in August a group of people gathered for a hui at Turapo Station on the Paekakariki Hill Road. The hui - No Pests In the West - was to discuss the idea of pest animal control at a landscape scale.

The participants included station owners and managers, lifestyle block owners and stewards of QEII covenanted blocks from the area bounded by State Highway 59 between Paekākāriki and Pukerua Bay, by Transmission Gully and Pāuatahanui Inlet. Representatives from trapping and restoration groups and regional and local authorities were also present.

Jamie Peryer of Greater Wellington presented the case for landscape scale control of ungulates. This sparked some lively discussion. Top concern for landowners was trust in having contractors working on their properties. Local contractors were able to speak directly about their legal obligations and processes when undertaking work on private property. The importance of having good relationships was very obvious.

Representatives of Capital Kiwi spoke about the work they are doing and the relationships with landowners they have worked to develop over the last decade.

There was discussion about the incoming kiwi, and the project in Maungakotukutuku. The point was made that controlling ungulates was a significant step towards making the area suitable for kiwi and other species to potentially be reintroduced in the future.

Landowner Hamish Smith acted as the lead speaker, keeping discussion on point. Many of the people present offered their experience, opinions and ideas of a local vision for the amazing area.