Operational Report for Possum, Ship rat, Stoat Control in the Haast Range Arawhata. 09 Aug Aug Contents

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1 EPA Report: Verified Source: Pestlink Operational Report for Possum, Ship rat, Stoat Control in the Haast Range Arawhata 23/12/2016 Department of Conservation South Westland 09 Aug Aug 2016 Contents 1. Operation Summary Operation Name Possum, Ship rat, Stoat Control in Haast Range Arawhata Operation Date 09 Aug Aug 2016 District South Westland Region: Western South Island Pestlink Reference 1617SWS01 Treatment Area Haast Range Arawhata Size (ha) Conservation Unit Name(s) GA Id(s) Arawata Conservation Area Mount Aspiring National Park Treatment Block Details Treatment Blocks Size (ha) Grid Ref GIS Ref Haast Range Arawhata BZ11 Contractor Name Helicopters Otago Treatment Dates Start Completion Haast Range Arawhata 09 Aug Aug 2016 Target Pest Details Treatment Blocks Target Pests Control Method Name Haast Range Arawhata Possum, Ship Pesticide Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Haast Range rat, Stoat Arawhata-(2) Conservation Outcome(s) 1. Protect tokoeka chicks from stoat predation in 2016 and Maintain and enhance populations of rat and stoat vulnerable bird species 3. Advance knowledge of how aerial 1080 used for pest control benefits tokoeka breeding success 3. Achieve and maintain foliar cover scores of >50% on monitored plant species in the Arawhata and Waipara Valleys. Result Target(s) Treatment Area/Block What we got Rat tracking (FTT) of less than 5% to be achieved within the Haast Kiwi Sanctuary and Arawhata-Waipara blocks immediately post operation. Haast Range Arawhata 0.25 Possum residual trap catch index (RCTI) of less than 5% to be achieved Haast Range Arawhata

2 Outcome Targets To protect >30% of Tokoeka chicks hatched in the Haast sanctuary from Stoat predation in 2016 and 2017 What we got Not yet known Achieve and maintain foliar cover scores of >50% on monitored plant species in the Arawhata and Waipara valleys during planned monitoring in Introduction 2.1 TREATMENT AREA Non-target species Common Name South Island Kaka, bush parrot, brown parrot, kawkaw Kea South Island Fantail South Island Fernbird, Matata, koroatito, karoti, matata, koroatito, u-tick New Zealand pigeon, Kereru Bush falcon, Karearea Blue duck, Whio, mountain duck, blue mountain duck Bellbird Tui Morepork, Ruru South Island Rifleman, Titipounamu Brown Creeper, Pipipi Rock Wren Chamois Red deer Cattle Target benefit species Scientific Name Nestor meridionalis meridionalis Nestor notabilis Rhipidura fuliginosa fuliginosa Bowdleria punctata punctata Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae Falco novaeseelandiae "bush" Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos Anthornis melanura melanura Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae Ninox novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae Acanthisitta chloris chloris Mohoua novaeseelandiae Xenicus gilviventris Rupicapra rupicapra Cervus elaphus scoticus Bos taurus Common Name Scientific Name Red mistletoe, pikirangi, pirirangi, pikiraki, pirita Peraxilla tetrapetala Pate Schefflera digitata - Raukaua simplex - Pseudopanax colensoi totara Podocarpus totara Haast tokoeka Apteryx australis "Haast" Scarlet mistletoe Peraxilla colensoi - Metrosideros umbellata Tree fuchsia Fuchsia excorticata Threatened species Common Name Haast tokoeka Scarlet mistletoe Scientific Name Apteryx australis "Haast" Peraxilla colensoi Pestlink Ref: 1617SWS01 Page 2 of 9 Date Printed: 10 Jan 2017

3 Red mistletoe, pikirangi, pirirangi, pikiraki, pirita Peraxilla tetrapetala South Island Kaka, bush parrot, brown parrot, kawkaw Nestor meridionalis meridionalis Rock Wren Xenicus gilviventris Blue duck, Whio, mountain duck, blue mountain duck Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos Geographical location The Haast Range Arawhata is situated 2 km SW of Neils Beach. TREATMENT BLOCK DETAILS: Treatment block Vegetation type Bioclimatic zone Climate characteristics: Rainfall Haast Range Arawhata Mixed Beech/Podocarp lowland semi-coastal sub-montane montane sub-alpine 6000 mm Temperature: Average Summer 15.0 Snow level Altitude Community and Iwi interests Historic sites 2.2 MANAGEMENT HISTORY Average Winter m m m The area received low to moderate numbers of visitors, mainly in the front country or areas with Helicopter or boat access, who may be hunting, off trail hiking/climbing along with Jet boating in the rivers. Part of the treatment area is within the balloted Haast roar blocks. The river mouth adjacent to the treatment area (Arawhata and Waiatoto) are popular Whitebait fishing areas during the season. There is interest in the area from Local Iwi as it is home of the Haast Tokoeka Kiwi, a Taonga species. There are no known historical sites Management history was not chosen to be shown in this operational report. This history is, however, available via Pestlink 3 Outcomes and Targets 3.1 CONSERVATION OUTCOMES 1. Protect tokoeka chicks from stoat predation in 2016 and Maintain and enhance populations of rat and stoat vulnerable bird species 3. Advance knowledge of how aerial 1080 used for pest control benefits tokoeka breeding success 3. Achieve and maintain foliar cover scores of >50% on monitored plant species in the Arawhata and Waipara Valleys. 3.2 TARGETS Result Targets The result targets for the treatment area were: Rat tracking (FTT) of less than 5% to be achieved within the Haast Kiwi Sanctuary and Arawhata- Waipara blocks immediately post operation. Pestlink Ref: 1617SWS01 Page 3 of 9 Date Printed: 10 Jan 2017

4 Possum residual trap catch index (RCTI) of less than 5% to be achieved Outcome Targets The outcome targets for the treatment area were: To protect >30% of Tokoeka chicks hatched in the Haast sanctuary from Stoat predation in 2016 and 2017 Achieve and maintain foliar cover scores of >50% on monitored plant species in the Arawhata and Waipara valleys during planned monitoring in Consultation, Consents & Notifications 4.1 CONSULTATION Consultation took place with the following groups. Adjacent land owners, concessionaires, those with a dwelling/water supply within 3km of the treatment area. We were able to speak with all affected parties and although some had concerns they were mostly "Anti 1080" sentiments than specific concerns on how the operation would affect them. Adjustments were made to some boundaries around areas where stock may be present on the request of the land owners/lease holders. There were no water extraction points identified throughout the process except for a commercial operation that has a concession to take water from the Tuning Fork creek. This operation has not yet started taking water or even started building the infrastructure to do so. Consultation outcomes Boundary adjustment to maintain safe distances from livestock and water supplies Lessons learned fill in later 4.2 CONSENTS Consent Consent date File Reference Permission ID Resource Consent 16/12/2011 RC11113 RC11113/1 Public Health Permission 19/07/ /957/GRYPH/CB DOC Permission 05/07/2016 DOC Lessons learned Always take care when reading consent conditions and how they relate to how you must implement your operation 4.3 NOTIFICATION Initial notification was carried out by identifying all affected parties and then either making a personal visit, phone call, or mail out of information regarding the operation. A more general notification was in the form of a Public Advertisement in the Greymouth Star, Hokitika Guardian, West Coast Messenger and Otago Daily times. A 24 hour notification was sent to key groups including Consent providers, Medical services, Vets, Police, Concessionaires (including those holding grazing licences and WARO) and any other interested parties. For a full list see Communication Plan DOC Lessons learned As per usual, take care with identifying all parties. You will have to gather information from a range or sources. (concessions database, Regional Councils, Land owner info etc.) Pestlink Ref: 1617SWS01 Page 4 of 9 Date Printed: 10 Jan 2017

5 5 Methods 5.1 TARGET SPECIES Treatment Block Haast Range Arawhata Control method Name Target pest species Pesticide - Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Haast Range Arawhata-(2) Possum Ship rat Stoat Treatment Block Control Method Name Target Pest Species Haast Range Arawhata Pesticide - Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Haast Range Arawhata-(2) Trade name of pesticide Name of pesticide Type of bait Toxic loading Bait quality sampling 0.15% 1080 Pellets RS5 Sodium fluoroacetate Cereal pellet 1.5 g/kg Conducted Bait Details Pre-feed Toxic Bait type Cereal pellet Cereal pellet Lure/ mask/ deterrent Cinnamon Cinnamon Lure/ mask/ deterrent 0.15% 0.30% Dye None Green Individual Bait Weight 6.0g 12.0g Sowing Rate Details Pre-feed Date Rate(kg/ha) Wind Speed Direction 09/08/ Light East Possum Ship rat Stoat Toxic Date Rate(kg/ha) Wind Speed Direction 29/08/ Calm 30/08/ Light East Toxic Date Rate(kg/ha) Wind Speed Direction 29/08/ Calm 30/08/ Light East Time between pre-feed and toxic 20 End of Caution Period Date 30/12/2016 Aircraft type Jet Ranger LongRanger Squirrel AS 350 Other Pestlink Ref: 1617SWS01 Page 5 of 9 Date Printed: 10 Jan 2017

6 Number of Aircraft 8 Sowing gear details Description Capacity Under-slung buckets ranging from kg capacity including 900 kg a trickle sowing bucket. Type of navigational guidance system used Loading Method Complaints and Incidents Other Details about this method - from planned operation - - TracMap 300kg bait bags loaded into loader hopper, loader hopper into heli bucket. 5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS Effects on Non-Target Species Detailed effects on non-target species can be viewed in Appendix 5 (assessment of environmental effects) of the DOC permission application. The standards in Pesticides use number 1 and the Kea COP are listed below as they relate to non-target species. Performance standard(s) Followed? Monitored? PU#1 Standard 7. The boundaries of the bait preparation and loading site are marked and loading site signs docdm erected. At the end of every day of the operation (including the final day), the loading site and any storage area must be fenced so that people do not inadvertently enter the site PU#1 Standard 8. If there is any likelihood that farm stock has been exposed to 1080, the owner must be advised as soon as possible and stock removed from the area. Kea COP Standard 1: Only use cinnamon-lured RS5 bait. Kea COP Standard 2: Use a maximum of 4kg/ha of prefeed bait for 12g baits or 2kg/ha for 6g baits. Kea COP Standard 3: Use a maximum of 4kg/ha of toxic bait for 12g baits or 2kg/ha for 6g baits. Kea COP Standard 4: when forest or tussock is in a mast year or post seedfall year (as determined by DOC) toxic bait application can occur in the 14 month period between 1 July in the seedfall year to 31 August in the post seedfall year. Kea COP Standard 5: If toxic bait application is planned for between 1 May and 30 June in a mast year preoperational rodent monitoring must take place between February and May inclusive. The tracking rate for rodents (combined) must be at least 10% for transects located according to Gillies and Will Effectiveness of performance standards Performance standards were followed. There have been no reports of domestic livestock being affected by the operation. There was no monitoring of Kea following this operation. Pestlink Ref: 1617SWS01 Page 6 of 9 Date Printed: 10 Jan 2017

7 Bykill of non-target species Not monitored, but no reports of domestic livestock being affected Effects on Soil and Water Quality Water samples were taken at four sites (Arawhata river, Waiatoto river, Tuning fork creek and Hindley creek). All samples contained no detectable levels of The large bodies of water in the treatment area named in RC condition 19 B were buffered by 100m as well as other unnamed area of open water being buffered by smaller distances. Performance standard(s) Followed? Monitored? RC1113/1 Condition 19 B There shall be no discharge of 1080 within 20m of i)reaches of rivers and streams with flowing channels more than 10m wide; ii) The following lakes, large ponds or tarns: Lake Paringa, Lake Rasselas, Lake Moeraki, Lake Topsy, Lake Ellery, Smith Ponds, Tawharekiri Lakes, Effectiveness of performance standards Conditions were effective as there were no detectable levels of 1080 found in the four water samples taken Effects on Ecosystems - Effects on Ecosystems Not Applicable Effects on Human Health Any contact with 1080 poison is likely detrimental to human health. Most water supplies in the area are roof fed tanks and therefore not affected. There are several bores which are also not affected. One water supply for a residence and stock is taken adjacent to the treatment area at a distance of approximately 950m. Contractors loading bait into helicopter buckets are the only persons in direct contact with 1080 baits and strictly follow Safe handling sheet #1 in regards to PPE. Signs at normal entry points to the area notify people entering that there has been poison applied. The Public health permission contains conditions relating directly to human health. Effects on Human Health Not Applicable 6 Monitoring and Outcomes 6.1 RESULT MONITORING - TARGET SPECIES Result target(s) Rat tracking (FTT) of less than 5% to be achieved within the Haast Kiwi Sanctuary and Arawhata-Waipara blocks immediately post operation. Possum residual trap catch index (RCTI) of less than 5% to be achieved Target Species Monitoring Method: Tracking tunnels Species monitored Ship rat - Rattus rattus in Haast Range Arawhata Monitor method details Immediately after toxic operation, one night rodent survey in 8 plots. 40 lines of 10 tracking tunnels (400 tunnels in total) It was initially planned that monitoring would occur within 2-3 weeks after the application of toxin. However, it did not occur until 3 months after. It does not appear to have adversely affected the results. Target pest result details Pre During/Post Monitoring dates 24/05/ /11/ Result target met? It may not be necessary to carry out monitoring immediately following the toxic bait application Target Species Monitoring Method: Residual trap-catch index (RTCI) Pestlink Ref: 1617SWS01 Page 7 of 9 Date Printed: 10 Jan 2017

8 Species monitored Possum - Trichosurus vulpecula in Haast Range Arawhata Monitor method details NYC Target pest result details Pre During/Post Monitoring dates 6/ % + 30% annual increase (19.1%) Result target met? Monitoring incomplete 6.2 RESULT MONITORING - ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS Non Target Species Monitoring of: Monitor Method details 1080 levels in 4 rivers within and adjacent to the treatment area Samples taken the morning following application of toxic bait at Tuning fork creek, Hindley creek, Arawhata river and Waiatoto river. Monitoring dates 31/11/ Soil and Water Quality All samples contained no detectable levels of Detectable level is mirco-grams per litre Monitoring of: Water quality immediately after application of 1080 Monitor Method details Four water samples were taken from the Arawhata river, Waiatoto river, Tuning fork creek and Hindley creek the morning following application of The samples were then frozen within two hours of collection and sent to Landcare Research in Christchurch for testing. Monitoring dates 31/08/ Ecosystems No monitoring of ecosystems was undertaken Human Health Monitoring of: Monitor Method details No detectable 1080 in any samples Helicopter flight paths Sowing data and secondary tracking was analysed on-site to ensure no boundaries were breached Pestlink Ref: 1617SWS01 Page 8 of 9 Date Printed: 10 Jan 2017

9 Monitoring dates 29-30/8/16 Monitoring of: Monitor Method details No problems detected Use of PPE Safety officer on site monitoring contractor and DOC staff to ensure compliance with PPE requirements as per Safe Handling Sheet 1 Monitoring dates 29-30/08/ OUTCOME MONITORING All persons on site compliant with PPE requirements Outcome targets To protect >30% of Tokoeka chicks hatched in the Haast sanctuary from Stoat predation in 2016 and 2017 Achieve and maintain foliar cover scores of >50% on monitored plant species in the Arawhata and Waipara valleys during planned monitoring in 2018 No monitoring of outcomes was undertaken Pestlink Ref: 1617SWS01 Page 9 of 9 Date Printed: 10 Jan 2017