A Ngapuhi woman who works for the Department of Conservation in Northland says 1080 has had a big impact on Waipoua kauri forest and it's all good.
Meirene Hardie-Birch is DoC's area manager for Waipoua where an aerial drop of the pesticide is planned for this week.
She says many hapu have concerns about the toxin, but it's been used in the Waipoua - Waima forest since 1990, without problems.
Mrs Hardie-Birch says the contrast between Waipoua, and other Northland forests that have not had 1080 drops, is now obvious.
She says there are great gaps in the canopy and few birds in untreated forests, while in Waipoua, the canopy is thick and birds are plentiful, with populations of kiwi and kokako.
Mrs Hardie-Birch says the kaitiaki (guardians) of Waipoua kauri forest Te Roroa are no great fans of 1080, but they have seen the effects and have worked with DoC to reach agreement about its use.
1080 blitz in Waipoua kauri forest
The Department of Conservation's warning hunters and landowners to keep their dogs well away from Waipoua kauri forest from this week.
It's about to launch a major blitz on pests, starting with a 1080 poison drop, as soon as the weather clears.
Northland Conservator Chris Jenkins says it'll be the fourth aerial 1080 drop on Waipoua since 1990.
He says the toxin's proved its worth in the kauri forest, and spring's the ideal time to knock down the possums and rats.
Mr Jenkins says there is still not a lot of other food around so the target species, such as the possum, will be more attracted to the bait, plus it's the beginning of the breeding season for the birds so it's a good time to knock back pest numbers.
