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  • 26 Feb 2019 8:09 AM | Anonymous

    Hi 

    A quick update on the Aoraki Mt Cook proposed National Park Management Plan (NPMP).

    Submissions closed 4th Feb but soon after that DoC announced that the whole plan is on hold due to a court challenge by Ngai Tahu. I believe the case concerned DoC's ability to issue concessions which would go to the core of the most contentious issues in the proposed Aoraki NPMP given they want to significantly increase helicopter landings - up to 200 per day in one area alone (70,000 per year). There was almost universal opposition to the plan from F&B, Alpine clubs, trampers and hunters. DoC get a fee for every landing but I'm sure that wouldn't influence their proposals :)

     

  • 10 Feb 2019 11:27 PM | Anonymous

    Those of you who put in a submission in June will have received notification in December of a 2nd round for submitters. Essentially the DoC regions took submissions, made their recommendations and then the national panel ignored most regional recommendations and have proposed opening virtually everything using their self written Deer Policy to usurp the previous controls put in under the Wild Animal Control Act and Conservation Act. This is wrong but they are trying to get away with it.

    The deadline for this second round is soon, 15th Feb. Hopefully most have re-submitted already but if you haven't the links below give some background on the changes proposed and a draft template submission - please re-word to suit yourself. Key things to oppose are the attempts to retain the invalid WARO openings of the Remutakas (83%) and Tararuas (18%). DoC are trying to keep them open based on the status quo despite that status being declared invalid by the high court. Akin to a thief arguing that they should keep stolen goods because they are in possession of them.

    This round is supposed to only accept submissions from those who submitted previously however DoC have added in new changes so even if you didn't submit in June feel free to preface your submissions with their new openings provide you the right to now submit. One of the new openings the national panel propose is the Kaweka Forest Park.

    Please feel free to use the draft submission emailed recently as a pick and mix list. Close off is 15th Feb.

    more info via DoC's website

    https://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/apply-for-permits/business-or-activity/national-wild-animal-recovery-operations/draft-land-access-recommendations-2018/

    thanks, Gordon 

     

  • 26 Feb 2018 10:29 PM | Anonymous

    DoC have reneged on the much promised (including to the High Court) overall review of WARO. To all intents they are trying to shut hunters out of a fair say in an activity which clearly adversely impacts upon rec hunters. They have turned their back on a chance to have a constructive process that could set the scene for a sustainable hunting regime benefiting all parties and conservation. The feral venison price schedule is up and activity is high, chances are it will affect all hunters.

    follow the link and take some action

     https://www.lnirdf.org.nz/blog/778319

     thanks

    GG  

  • 12 Sep 2017 11:13 PM | Anonymous

    As part of the Ruahine Deer Plan process a survey was conducted via the Game Animal Council with the link to the survey available to all those seeking permits for the Ruahine Forest Park.

    The survey though not a huge sample set has some interesting information it.

    Ruahine 2017 Recreational Hunter survey results.pdf

    At a recent meeting of the Deer Plan working group it was also estimated from the permit data and DoC land area totals that the Ruahines represents around 1% of the total DoC controlled estate but attracts permit applications from around 8% of all those who seek permits. So the area is very significant to hunters. 

  • 04 Sep 2017 9:17 PM | Anonymous

    Dear stakeholder/ interested party

    Consultation opens for proposed 2018 TBfree pest control operations

    OSPRI is now consulting on its proposed 2018 TBfree programme aerial pest control operations.

    The consultation document and details about how to make a submission, are available at www.tbfree.org.nz/have-your-say.aspx

    The document outlines the proposed pest control operations in support of the National Pest Management Plan for 2018. It also outlines the approach taken by OSPRI in relation to engagement for the TB management and eradication programme.

    During the consultation period we will be meeting with key stakeholder groups and interest groups to get their feedback on the document.

    OSPRI believes that it is important to undertake effective and timely consultation. This will provide an opportunity for people and organisations interested in, or affected by, our pest control operations, including landowners and land users, farmers, hunters and recreational land users to discuss any concerns they may have regarding the proposed operations.

    If you have any immediate questions or comments please contact consultation@ospri.co.nz.

    We encourage you to share this with relevant or other interested stakeholders.

    Regards, Phil Dawson

    PHILLIP DAWSON

    OPERATIONS EXTENSION OFFICER

    D 07 849 8915 | M 027 550 0182

     

  • 20 Jun 2017 10:37 PM | Anonymous

    DoC and OSPRI are proposing a 1080 op for this spring (2017) in the Northern Ruahines covering over 25% of the whole of the Ruahines. Currently no deer repellent is proposed. attached is the fact sheet they have just put out.

    Standard 1080 kills a lot of deer.

    The Ruahines has the highest hunting permit numbers of the entire lower North Island (Kawekas included) and possibly in the Country and it beggars belief that they would try and get away without doing something to mitigate the effect especially after we just took them to court over areas including the Ruahines.

    Whilst no 1080 would be ideal the reality is they will try and knock back the rats and stoats from yet another mast year so we need to find a way to make the control more target specific so there are still deer to hunt.

    Please read fact sheet and start asking DoC and OSPRI questions

    thanks

    GG

    BFOB Factsheet Northern Ruahine Ranges - DOC-3043767.pdf

  • 19 May 2017 11:31 AM | Anonymous

    The Lower North island Red Deer Foundation had its day in court Wednesday 2nd May, finally (take 2 scene 1).Initial court day was deferred from December 2016 due to a WARO operator wanting to participate.Too early to say what the result is likely to be and could be couple of months before we get a decision

    But on the positive side, the Judge appeared to get a good grasp of the issues after a fair bit of questioning of both counsels. Our counsel thought that's the best we could ask for, to happen.

    The areas effected are Ruahine, Tararua, Rimutaka forest parks, and the Wairarapa reserves in the Lower North island

    Key issues the Judge wanted our counsel, and DOCs to explain/justify included;
    the consultation process, role of rec hunters in the Wild Animal Control Act, the "effects" on hunters of the decisions to remove exclusions to WARO, the basis for the decisions (ie deer densities), among others.

    Very interesting day, seeing how the process worked.

    A positive result for the LNIRDF will have far reaching effects on recreational hunting and WARO management by DOC throughout the country.

    Our aim has been to show that hunters should have been formally consulted, and the effect the decisions had on hunting were significant. Also that rec hunters have a Statutory role in Wild Animal Control and should be given better consideration in the decision making.

    The aim has not been to exclude WARO, but simply to get DOC to include hunters in the decision making process and get a better deal for hunting and Game Management.

    Many thanks to all those that donated to the cause. Without the support from hunters, this challenge would never have happened. That would have resulted in more of the same from DOC. We believe this challenge by hunters is the first to go all the way to court. Whilst threats have been made in the past no court action had resulted, we had always backed down. It has also become clear that DoC and the WARO guys never thought we would go this far and that they could "
    weather the storm" and we would go away as we always had done.

    No matter what the outcome hunters now have credibility.

    This has not been cheap and we are still seeking donations,

    Donations can go direct into to the “Lower North Island Red Deer Foundation Incorporated”. Donations can go to Kiwi Bank acct # 38 9017 0707871 01

     

    There is also a give a little page


  • 20 Mar 2017 10:20 PM | Anonymous

    Hi Guys

    please find attached an update on the CMS and WARO challenge. A draft submission on the CMS is with the LNI page of this website. Submissions close 4th April 2017. Thanks, GG

    WARO challenge update 3-Feb-2017.docx 

  • 21 Dec 2016 8:24 AM | Anonymous

    Some of you may have seen the facebook reports of a helicopter poaching in the Ruahines this month (December when the Ruahines is closed to WARO). It appears to have happened a number of times, the operator has been identified by DoC, even witnessed by their staff. The operator clearly knew they had no permission so we await with interest the outcome.

    The helicopter seen 1st December was a blue R22. I am not certain if the helicopter seen by at least one DoC working party more recently was the same one.

    GG  

     

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