New Zealand to be predator-free by 2050 – welcome news says WWF

Today’s announcement by Prime Minister John Key to make New Zealand predator-free by 2050 is welcomed by conservation organisation, WWF New-Zealand.

The Prime Minister made the announcement at Wellington's ecosanctuary Zealandia this afternoon setting an ambitious goal for New Zealand to be completely free of rats, stoats and possums and committing $28 million to a new joint venture company called Predator Free New Zealand Ltd.

“We applaud today’s announcement as WWF supports the vision of a predator-free New Zealand and look forward to working with the New Zealand Government to achieve this goal,” said Chris Howe, WWF-New Zealand’s Executive Director.

“WWF-New Zealand has been a long-term supporter of predator control initiatives through the Habitat Protection Fund, Environmental Education Action Fund, Conservation Innovation Awards and Reconnecting Northland,” Mr Howe said.

WWF-New Zealand's vision is for a future where all New Zealand native species thrive throughout their natural range.

“New Zealand is home to an extraordinarily high proportion of plants, animals, habitats and ecosystems that occur nowhere else on earth,” Mr Howe said.

“These unique native species include land birds and seabirds, such as the forest-dwelling kererū, critically endangered Chatham albatross and the endangered northern royal albatross.

"But New Zealand has one of the highest rates of threatened native species of any country in the world – many are at risk of extinction because of habitat destruction, pollution, introduced predators and other human-induced threats.”

ENDS

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