The government is investing in a project to manage the impact of deer and other predators at two forests in the central North Island.
The project will be delivered by the Sika Foundation, which focuses on sika deer. Photo: DoC / Malcolm Lock
It will give more than $700,000 over the next three years to a project to manage the Kaimanawa and Kaweka Forest Parks - in the Hawke's Bay and Manawatū-Whanganui regions respectively.
Kiri Allan Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
The project will be delivered by the Sika Foundation, a hunter-led non-profit entity with a particular interest in sika deer.
"Alongside the deer work, the foundation will support the other pest control work already occurring to target rats, ferrets, stoats and weasels," Conservation Minister Kiri Allan said.
She said it would also enhance the habitat for the critically threatened whio/blue duck. Five jobs would also be created to deliver the work.
"This project will also support recreational outcomes, through the maintenance of the Kaimanawa hut network.
"With the addition of employing five people to deliver the work, this is one of those win-win projects," Allan said.
In its initial phase the focus will be on Kaimanawa Forest Park, but following further engagement with mana whenua the project hopes to include Kaweka Forest Park.
"Given the way deer populations are expanding across the country, it is really positive to see special interest groups such as the Sika Foundation stepping up with proposals to address the problem in a way which is measured, sustainable and considers multiple outcomes," Allan said.