Press releases

Independent scientific reviews

and official documents on 1080

Is DoC looking after our insects?

October 8, 2019

Insects were in the media spotlight earlier this year due to a review published in the journal Biological Conservation. The review showed that insect populations worldwide are declining dramatically, largely due to habitat destruction and pesticides. Their importance in ecological systems, as food for other animals, pest controllers, recyclers and pollinators was spelt out.

Where does 1080 poison go in water?

September 24, 2019

1080 poison is currently being spread across New Zealand’s wildlands, in taxpayer-funded operations aimed at pest mammals. One of the extremely dangerous properties of 1080 is a marked ability to spread in water.

Time to think about kea

September 3, 2019

The kea, NZ’s unique mountain parrot, needs urgent consideration. This spring, poisonous food baits are being spread by air over of much its habitat by the Department of Conservation (DoC). Twelve per cent of resident kea are expected to die within a few days of the poisoning, according to DoC’s studies.

Letter to Mike Slater, DOC, Re: Aerial1080 in Arthurs Pass National Park

August 1, 2019

You have given consent for the business “Vector Control Services” to aerially poison Arthurs Pass National Park, including places that have not been poisoned before, primarily to control rats in order to protect kakariki.

Science against 1080

July 12, 2019

Will NZ’s Department of Conservation win against rodents and stoats with 1080 poison? Scientist Dr Jo Pollard puts the counter view. The New Zealand government’s Department of Conservation (DoC) is responsible for managing our land and natural resources for the purposes for conservation.

20 Reasons why DoC should not poison kea habitat

June 20, 2019

An average of 12% of marked kea have been reported dead within the first few days of aerial poisonings (DoC, 2016; Kemp et al., 2016, unpublished); range up to 78% (Graf, 2011). (Figures do not include later deaths from carcass scavenging or slow deaths from poisoning.)

Loss of science quality in NZ is having dire consequences

May 8, 2017

Back in the 1990s, in at least one institution, rigorous government science was alive and well. At Invermay Agricultural Research Centre, “Lab” meetings were being held where the scientist (or trembling student) presented his or her proposed experiment: the background, hypotheses to be tested and methods.

Why is there an argument over 1080?

May 22, 2014

For many decades New Zealand has been racked by arguments over the widespread use of aerial 1080 poison. Both sides of the argument are supported by intelligent and committed conservationists so why can’t consensus be found when both sides care deeply about the birds and the forests.

1080 Poison | Science and Facts

May 21, 2011

Any true scientist would be intensely annoyed to see wishful thinking and casual observations (rather than properly replicated experiments with appropriate controls) masquerading as science, especially when lots of people actually believed in it.

At least 65 dogs in a year poisoned by 1080 in New Zealand

February 16, 2011

The researchers carried out a postal survey of 125 randomly-selected veterinarians. Fifty-two vets responded and within their practices over a one year period, 65 dogs poisoned by 1080 had been dealt with. Three of the 52 respondents had each treated 10 cases. Only 25% of the treated dogs survived

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