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Photo: Supplied / Rod Morris
An environmental group is threatening legal action if the Department of Conservation doesn't cancel a permit which authorises Waka Kotahi, the transport authority, to kill kiwi and other species during the building of a bypass in Taranaki.
Under the Wildlife Act, DOC is able to grant permits to capture alive, or kill, wildlife if it furthers the purpose of the Act - which is wildlife protection.
This permit will allow NZTA to kill 46 species, including ones that are already in serious trouble like the North Island brown kiwi/Kiwi-nui, short-tailed and long-tailed bats, and Archey's frog, as well as tui, kereru, kokako, and piwakawaka/fantail.
The Mt Messenger Bypass is a new six kilometre road in Taranaki, from Uruti to Ahititi.
The Environmental Law Initiative estimates it will involve the destruction of 30 hectares of native forest and significant wetlands in the Mangapēpeke Valley.
Waka Kotahi says all of the environmental consents needed for the project have been approved, and it has worked closely with DOC, and other groups, during the investigation and design of the route.
Lynn speaks to Mike Britton, the chief executive of the Environmental Law Initiative.