The New Zealand Nature Fund is working to raise NZ$2 million (USD$1 million) to eradicate predators such as possums and wallabies from Kawau Island to protect the threatened and at-risk native species that live there.
Kawau Island is home home to several threatened and at-risk native species including North Island weka, kororā and pāteke, as well as many other species of shore and forest birds, including the North Island brown kiwi and kākāhas. Invasive browsing pests such as wallabies and possums threaten native flora and fauna, hindering the island’s natural regeneration processes. Ridding the island of predators is considered essential for preventing extinction and protecting biodiversity.
If the project is successful, Kawau Island (2,058 hectares) would become New Zealand’s largest inhabited pest-free island and one of few worldwide. But ridding the island of pests is only part of the island’s intensive restoration program, which has been led by the Auckland Council in partnership with Manuhiri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust, Predator Free 2050 Limited, and the Department of Conservation.
NZNF CEO, Sarah Lyttle says Kawau Island landholders have donated $550,000 in support of the project, leaving just over $1.5 million left to raise. “It’s a very significant contribution from the community and a wonderful demonstration of local commitment driving game-changing conservation projects.”
The NZNF set a goal to raise $2 million for the project from private donors to address a remaining budget gap.
The NZ Nature Fund was established in 2000 to raise funds from donors for projects that halt the decline of endangered species, protect and restore Aotearoa New Zealand’s wild places. In the past 12 months NZNF has raised over $1.8 million from private donors for more than 14 conservation projects.
