Background
Fiordland National Park (FNP; 1,260,740 ha), in the southwest of the South Island, is the largest national park in New Zealand, and is one of the largest in the world. In 1986 FNP was recognised as a World Heritage Area. In 1990 the area was renamed Te Wähipounamu - South West New Zealand World Heritage Area and extended to include Westland, Aspiring and Aoraki/Mt Cook National Parks.
Location map of Fiordland National Park
FNP contains hundreds of islands ranging in size from small rock stacks up to Resolution Island (20,860 ha). In total, the land area of Fiordland islands exceeds 40,000 ha.
Islands provide sites where integrated biodiversity management is often more cost effective than on the mainland due to lower numbers and types of pests, and lower reinvasion rates. Some islands have never had rats, mice, or brushtail possums present. The Fiordland Islands Restoration Programme seeks to conserve the high ecological values of selected islands through removing unwanted animal and plant pests, and the re-introduction of threatened fauna.
Pest species
Key introduced pest species targeted have included stoats (Mustela erminea), red deer, Norway rats, mice, and brushtail possums. One of the first sizeable island rat eradication projects globally took place on Breaksea Island in Fiordland in 1988. Since then over 13 islands totalling more than 31,000 ha have been targeted for pest-eradication in Fiordland. Many smaller stepping-stone islands have also been included as part of the ongoing monitoring and control programme.
Breaksea Island
Removal of pest species has resulted in whole-ecosystem benefits including increased forest health and the re-introduction of threatened bird species such as kakapo and tieke / South Island saddleback. DOC and the local community have worked together to protect and restore these islands. This work is ongoing with new island initiatives, public education, and a strong focus on island biosecurity to ensure that the islands remain pest-free.
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