Kawau project operational updates

Operation Update, May 2026

Block 1 – DOC Historic and Stoney Hill Recreational Reserves. (refer to map)

From May 6 to May 29, one member of the field team accompanied by a detector dog, will be working within Block 1 – Department of Conservation reserves. This work is targeting a small number of particularly elusive individuals still present in the reserve. While not hunting continuously across the full three‑week period, operational flexibility is required to respond to reported sightings, fresh sign, and live self‑reporting camera images. Some daylight hours will also be necessary to work effectively with the dog. Therefore, the DOC Historic and Stoney Hill Recreational Reserves may have a team member hunting at any time during the following period:

• Tuesday, May 6 to Friday, May 29, 2026
• Between 5:00 pm and 8:00 am
   

Block 2 – South Cove Residential Area

Follow‑up operations targeting remaining wallabies will commence next week. This work will involve night hunting supported by a thermal drone. Hunting activities will take place between

• Wednesday, May 6 and Saturday, May 9, 2026,
• After 7:00 pm each evening.
   

Blocks 7, 8, 9

Follow up possum work will continue from late-May. Dates and locations will be emailed to affected landowners closer to the time, confirming final details.

Toxin Operation Update, April 1st

The ground base 1080 operation has concluded. The six‑month cautionary period following the toxin operation has now begun and it’s important to take extra care to ensure the safety of your pets. All uneaten cut foliage treated with 1080 gel has been removed. However, some residual 1080 cereal pellets remain on the ground and continue to break down naturally, helped by the recent wet weather. While carcasses are decomposing quickly, they continue to pose the highest risk to dogs during the cautionary period. If you are bringing a dog or any other pet to the island, ensure they are kept on a lead or contained at all times.

Visitors with dogs:

• Keep dogs on a lead at all times
• Do not let them scavenge carcasses
• Stay on tracks and roads only
• Avoid the treatment area
• Continue to observe all warning signs

Refer to the Protecting Your Dog factsheet for more guidance, Should you have any concerns about potential toxin exposure or require urgent advice, please contact:

Warkworth Vets: 09 425 9260,  27 Hudson Road, Warkworth.

Note that:

• the toxin application will support the ongoing hunting effort to remove wallabies and possums where numbers are high. This has been revealed by regular camera and drone monitoring in the southern blocks.
• the treatment area is on private property and gates to the property will be locked. Please refer to map below.
• baits will be placed a minimum of 20 metres from private tracks and roads.
• warning signage will be in place at wharves, main entry points to the treatment area and at treated foliage sites.
• neighbouring properties will be notified ahead of toxic bait application and once foliage bait has been removed. Cereal bait will degrade naturally in the environment.
• Public Health conditions, including exclusion zones for block one and setbacks from residential areas, will apply. Monitoring of ground-based domestic water supplies within or downstream of treatment areas will also take place.
• carcasses will be removed where practical. A caution period of several months will follow while carcasses naturally break down.

Map of Kawau Island showing the ground-based 1080 treatment area. 
Download map (PDF - 2.51MB)