54447 (2025). Celia Wade-Brown to the Minister of Conservation

54447 (2025). Celia Wade-Brown to the Minister of Conservation: What actions, if any, will the Minister be taking to help protect the critically endangered Pukunui species considering the 19% decrease in population from 126 in 2023 to 101 in April 2024?

Hon Tama Potaka: I am regularly updated on work carried out by the Department of Conservation to protect Pukunui, including year-round multi-species predator control operations targeting their known threats. In February 2025, I announced that the Government was investing $19 million through the International Visitor and Conservation Levy (IVL) into protecting biodiversity across New Zealand by reducing the spread of predators and invasive plant species, which included specific work to protect the Pukunui in Rakiura National Park. Feral cats are the main predator of Pukunui, whilst kahu, southern black-backed gulls, white-tailed deer, and spur-winged plover also impact Pukunui to lesser extents. I am advised that an approximately 43,000ha aerial 1080 operation was successfully completed in August 2025, ahead of the vulnerable Pukunui nesting season, covering the most important breeding habitat. Adaptive management continues with the guidance of a Technical Advisory Group, including collaboration with researchers and universities. IVL funding has also enabled more extensive survey work to be completed this year which will inform future predator control planning.