Chris Carter tells DoC: Leave the weka alone

08 Jul 2010 05:14a.m.

David wrote:

Mani, get an education, gather your facts correctly and learn to read and write. The weka were introduced to these islands, not the mainland to which they are obviously native. Meanwhile, do some in depth research on ecosystems and you'll soon discover the perils of introducing species into an ecosystem for which they are clearly foreign (in this case the two offshore islands). Clearly, DOC is in a far better position than Mr Carter to determine the fate of these birds.

06 Jul 2010 04:42p.m.

Mary Heslan wrote:

Whilst one applauds the comments of Chris Carter in this situation, it is noted that the same Chris Carter defended the mass cull of Weka in the Chatham islands in 2003 (when 400 Weka were trapped and killed) and the continued regular cull of a unique species of Weka on the islands before and since. It would be nice if Ministers rather than just gabbing the most appropriate thing for their portfolio, actually stated their personal opinions and represented their constituency with some consistancy.

06 Jul 2010 04:23p.m.

Mary Heslan wrote:

Go Chris Carter, It is time someone stood up to our DOC and their extreme policies. Not only are they determined to wipe out every species that dared to enter New Zealand in the last 200 years, but now they going to kill native species as well?! Are we serious? Are we going to let these dinosaurs of conservation management and their prehistoric policies continue to obliterate the small amount of wildlife that we have left in New Zealand and on our precious Islands, native or otherwise?. These policies that are trying to ‘capture’ New Zealand’s wild state 500 years ago are unrealistic, egotistical and jeopardizing the wildlife that will ultimately survive into New Zealand’s future. Instead of conserving species that are survivors and adaptors like our delightful Weka the DOC spend all their money and time persecuting them, at the same time spending extraordinary money on trying to save species that sadly just do not have a chance in our changing environment and climate. Weka are native, the North Island Weka are quite rare, and the South Island Weka is abundant in a just a few pockets on the mainland, they are truly intelligent birds, their character is visible immediately as anyone who has come across them will testify. To wipe out a native species thriving in a native area is surely the peak of these conceited and idealistic policies, to think that they can turn back time and work against the natural evolution taking place. Just how is the DOC going to conduct this cull of our native species? Are they going to cruelly poison them and leave them to rot all over the island as they do with possums on the mainland? What if the DOC found there were too many Kiwis on one of these islands? What if they thought there were too many Kea in the ranges? Would we allow them to cull Kiwis and Kea as well? What is the difference? Thank you Chris Carter for speaking out for the Weka, New Zealand, speak up!

05 Jul 2010 09:59p.m.

Matt wrote:

It's clear the birds are a menace and must go. Could these Weka replace the lost population of Buff Weka fromBanks Peninsula? Can't think of anywhere else you'd put them. There is no doubt that they will eat chics, eggs and lizards. doc are right that the cleanest option is to kill them. People just don't see the bigger picture here. It's a bit like the 1080 protesters. 1080 is really the last hope for out birds , period.

05 Jul 2010 07:35p.m.

Mani wrote:

U are full Bull DOC, Weka s were here long before the european s showed there face here,where u get bull scrap story s from bugged if know,my ancestors were making their-cloaks and clothing out of these birds feathers,long before u were born

05 Jul 2010 07:31p.m.

Kiwi wrote:

How about DOC capture Chris Carter and ship him to an offshore island since hes an endangered species.

05 Jul 2010 07:07p.m.

Mani wrote:

U go for it Carter and u make sure they touch our national wildlife.Leave the Weka alone DOC.The only one who is a pest is u DOC............