Petrel lightsoff trial a first

Punakaiki: Streetlights which disorient the rare Westland petrel as they come in to land at Punakaiki each night will be turned off from this Sunday, in a New Zealandfirst trial.

They will be turned off along State Highway 6 between Waikori Rd and Bullock Creek Rd. They will not be turned on again until the new year.

NZ Transport Agency senior network manager Colin Hey advised motorists to take extra care on that section of highway at night. Cautionary signs would be installed on either side of the 3.4km section of highway affected, he said.

He encouraged residents to use torches. The Westland petrel/taiko nest in burrows around Punakaiki and can become disoriented by bright lights under their flight paths, causing them to crashland nearby.

Westland Petrel Conservation Trust chairman Bruce StuartMenteath said it was fantastic news.

The lights had caused petrel ‘‘fallout’’ around Punakaiki ever since they were installed many years ago, he said.