National Park 1080 drop puzzles local residents

‘‘To eradicate bovine tuberculosis, we need to keep possums below 2 per cent for approximately ten years.’’

Confusion over the naming of the Ngamutu 1080 aerial programme raised a few eyebrows at the National Park Community Board.

The drop, scheduled to take place in early June, was questioned by chair Jenni Pendleton – who had no idea where Ngamutu was.

‘‘I asked several people if they knew where Ngamutu was and noone knew,’’ Pendleton said.

‘‘I suggested it was subterfusion and quite frankly, when I first looked at it, I thought it must have come to me by mistake.’’

Ospri operations coordinator Debbie Viner said the name was taken from a peak within the area.

‘‘We come up with a name that is known within the area.

‘‘We could have called it Erua but the operation encompasses more than that.’’

The possum control operation will covers 16,000 hectares.

Viner said this will be the first time the Erua Forest has had 1080.

‘‘To eradicate bovine tuberculosis, we need to keep possums below 2 per cent for approximately ten years.’’

Viner said they met with local iwi and will continuously work with them through the process.

* Public Information night: Wednesday May 24, National Park School hall, 4pm-7pm