Wapiti in Fiordland: Herd of Special Interest (HOSI) process begins
From the FWF - a good opportunity:
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Wapiti Herd of Special Interest process begins.
Finally, the Fiordland Wapiti herd is on the path to having another layer of protection.
Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager will consider formally designating a wapiti deer Herd of Special Interest (HOSI) in Fiordland National Park, which could cover more than 190,000 hectares.
To support the wapiti HOSI, the Government will also introduce a bill to parliament to clarify the designation if a HOSI in national parks, through a small amendment bill to the Game Animal Act 2013. The bill will clarify that HOSI can be established in national parks as was originally intended and clarify the existing legislation.
"This has been a 20-year battle to reach this stage," says Fiordland Wapiti Foundation General Manager Roy Sloan we are excited to work with Mr Meager to ensure this gets across the line.
The Fiordland Wapiti Foundation has pioneered modern hunting practices in New Zealand by advocating that deer management should prioritise conservation outcomes first, with hunting resources as a secondary consideration. Remarkably, there is a synergy between these two goals, which is only beginning to be fully understood, says Roy.
The Wapiti Foundation has been frustrated with the Game Animal Council Act and Herds of Special Interest, as we have managed the Wapiti herd as a de facto Herd of Special Interest for 20 years. We have long established and maintained the standard for deer management in New Zealand, all without incurring any expense to the taxpayer.
To have a government finally see common sense and be brave enough to support the Wapiti proposal for a Herd of Special Interest is truly refreshing. I am not sure if this is excitement or relief for our team, as they have put a lot of effort into making this happen.
Forest and Bird's reaction has been entirely predictable - except for the lie that this is all for only 86 deer shot per year. Ignoring that FWF cull over 1 thousand deer each year on average. I expected better from Nicola Toki.
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National parks are not game parks.
Forest & Bird is calling out the Government for proposing special protections for wapiti deer, a destructive introduced species in Fiordland National Park. At a time when conservation funding faces a $1.5B shortfall, the prioritisation of hunting over biodiversity protection is deeply concerning.
CE Nicola Toki has issued a strong rebuke of the government's plan to elevate a feral deer species over endangered natives like the kākāpō, kea and whio.
"Instead of trying to ensure Fiordland can welcome kākāpō back to their home, this Government is instead looking at changing the law to let a North American deer species use the national park as a glorified vege patch – eating away at the very natural heritage that these sanctuaries have been legally designed to protect. What’s next? A sanctuary for stoats?”
This is not about hunting — it's about priorities. Hunting is part of the toolbox in tackling the out-of-control numbers of browsing animals that are causing significant damage to New Zealand’s environment and many of our members are keen hunters. Forest & Bird is supportive of the role the hunting community can and does play in helping to stem the tide of deer, pig and goat numbers. However, undermining the incredible landscapes and habitats of Fiordland National Park so that 512 hunters can shoot 86 deer in a year, is catering to a handful of vested interests at the expense of all New Zealanders. We need to protect nature, not turn national parks into game parks for a few.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political...orest-and-bird
I think the calm heads and track record of the FWF will be too much for F&B to counter.
