Kiore (Pacific rat)
Kiore (Pacific rat)
Kiore is the Maori name for a species of rat (rattus exulans). It is the world's third most widely distributed rat, found throughout the Asia/Pacific area. Kiore are poor swimmers and have reached New Zealand mainland and offshore islands through deliberate and accidental introduction by humans.
They were introduced to New Zealand by Maori settlers in about the 10th century.
Kiore are restricted in New Zealand to Fiordiand, Stewart Island and a number of offshore islands. Of the many introduced mammals to New Zealand, kiore are unique because of their association with the migration of Polynesians throughout the Pacific and because of their cultural and spiritual values to some iwi Maori.
Kiore eat a wide range of foods including seeds, fruits, insects, lizards, eggs and chicks. New Zealand's native plants and animals, however, evolved in the absence of mammalian predators and are therefore poorly equipped to compete with, or defend against the impact of introduced species.
In 1995 the Department of Conservation released a kiore strategy document. That strategy advocated the elimination of kiore and other rodents from islands administered by the Department.
At the same time the strategy recognised the cultural and spiritual value of kiore to some iwi Maori and acknowledged that kiore were likely to remain on the mainland and on some islands (outside of the Department's administration) for cultural or scientific reasons.
Information
Kiore (Pacific Rat) are widely distributed throughout the Pacific and South East Asia. In New Zealand they are found in Fiordland, Stewart Island and some offshore islands. The Department of Conservation administers approximately 230 of the estimated 600 islands around New Zealand. Fifteen of these islands have kiore.
Removal of kiore from all 15 of Department administered islands would reduce their New Zealand range by only four per cent.
Kiore are not protected under New Zealand statutes.
Evidence suggests kiore eat seeds and fruits, lizards, insects and the eggs and chicks of native birds. Where they are removed from offshore islands, considerable conservation gains are possible.
The Department of Conservation has successfully eradicated kiore (and other rodents) from a number of offshore islands and plans to pursue eradication for all fifteen islands under its administration.
Recognising that iwi Maori sometimes have a cultural interest in kiore, as well as the ecological health and well-being of plants, forests and wildlife, it is the Department's practice to consult prior to eradication programmes.
Various methods have been used to eradicate rodents from offshore islands including trapping, 1080 and talon-type baits. Recent advances, including the development of more effective anticoagulant poisons and new application methods, mean it is now possible to consider rodent eradication operations on larger islands. The Department, health and regional authorities are involved in poisoning operations to ensure risk to humans, the environment and non-target species is minimised.
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