Source: Department of Conservation
Date: 25 February 2025
The incident occurred on Saturday 8 February, when two people and two dogs from a 660 Haines Hunter recreational vessel were spotted on the shore of Kawhitu/Stanley Island – one of several pest-free islands off Coromandel’s east coast.
DOC’s Coromandel Operations Manager Nick Kelly says DOC was tipped off to the landing by other concerned boaties in the area.
“Landing on our pest-free islands is strictly prohibited, so our informants did the right thing by calling 0800 DOC HOT and reporting what they saw,” says Nick.
“We’re very grateful for their assistance.”
Publicity of the illegal landing prompted the vessel’s skipper – an Auckland man in his 50s, who had launched his vessel from Tairua – to contact DOC via the department’s 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) phone line.
“The boatie was interviewed by a DOC warranted officer, and he’s admitted landing on Kawhitu, and walking right past a sign warning stating the island is off-limits to the public.”
The boatie was subsequently fined $800 under DOC’s infringement system.
Nick encourages boaties who see people go ashore on Kawhitu, or any of Coromandel’s conservation islands (Cuvier Island, Aldermen Islands, Mercury Islands), to contact DOC immediately.
“Anyone landing on our pest-free islands risks undoing decades of conservation work protecting vulnerable species, and potentially compromises island biosecurity.
“Our nature is among the world’s most vulnerable, and we hope this makes people more aware of how important pest-free areas like Kawhitu are, and why we need to protect them.”
Roughly 86 ha in size, Stanley Island/Kawhitu is a haven for a number of protected and threatened species, including tieke/saddlebacks, flesh-footed shearwaters/toanui, and kakariki/red-crowned parakeet.
Contact
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz
