Pests can and do make it to our pest-free islands. The most likely way these destructive pests get there is by stowing away on (or in) your shoes or gear, on your vessel or kayak or in freight goods, building materials, vehicles and plants.
Pests such as, rats, mice, Argentine ants, and plague skinks injure and kill our native wildlife and compete for their food.
Invasive weeds can alter the habitat that wildlife needs to survive. Soil may contain plant diseases like kauri dieback which is killing our kauri forests.
Explore the Auckland Council pest search site.
Pest free Hauraki Gulf
The Pest Free Hauraki Gulf campaign is a joint initiative between DOC and Auckland Council to help protect conservation islands in the Hauraki Gulf. The islands provide a haven for some of our most endangered animals and plants, including sea birds, tuatara and takahē.
To help keep Hauraki Gulf islands pest-free:
- check your vessel and gear for pests before you leave the mainland
- if you're a commercial operator, make sure to get a Pest-free Warrant
- report any pest sightings to: 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
More information: Visiting the Hauraki Gulf Islands – Auckland Council
PA is a pathogen that can kill kauri of all ages. It is also referred to as kauri disease or kauri dieback.
These plants are some that pose the most serious threats to our native animals and places.
Native to Australia, plague skinks were first recorded in Auckland during the 1960s and are now posing a threat to our rare native lizards.
One of the world’s top 10 invasive species, Argentine ants pose a serious threat to New Zealand's biodiversity. Find out how to spot and remove them from your home.
Although rabbits are the main diet of ferrets, this mustelid will attack, kill and eat native species.
Stoats are the number-one killer of many of New Zealand’s endangered native species.
Weasels are found in low numbers in most habitats in New Zealand. This mustelid poses a significant threat to native wildlife.
The rats in New Zealand are introduced pests and threaten the long-term survival of native species.