Press release 13 June 2018
Stop Toxin's, Use Traps - “ Predator-Free -New Zealand" Founder
The use of Toxins should be immediately stopped and replaced with a nation-wide system of trapping says the founder of
Predator Free NZ.
"Non-toxin trapping, using the latest self resetting technology to eradicate the introduced mammalian predators from the mainland
of New Zealand is the only ecologically sensible way" says Les Kelly of Blenheim and the founder of the original
predatorfreenz, (pfnz).
The New Zealand invented and manufactured non-toxin self-resetting traps had been proven by the Department of
Conservation's own trials to be more successful than any other method, with zero population's of predators within 3
months.
“ No other 'tool' can achieve or maintain this and they can be deployed on large scale areas such as National parks,” he
said.
The underlying question is, why was the Department persisting with the dispersion of tens of thousands of tonnes of
toxin across the country when it knows there was a environmentally economically proven non-toxin alternative.
The Department of Conservation’s, (DoC), own website, acknowledges that Les Kelly started and funded the establishment
of the Predator Free New Zealand plans, concept and name in 2008 until the 2nd May 2013, when the Department of
Conservation stole predator free New Zealand, he claimed.
Questioned as to the reason for DoC’s usurping of the name, he was baffled.
"Why is the operative word when the Department of Conservation has, with enthusiasm for the last 4 years, been
recruiting partnerships. Why would they shamelessly conspire to eliminate the one group/partner, the original non-toxin
pfnz that has the ability to raise incredible amounts of long term private funding, mobilise and strengthen the plans
and concept of a predator free New Zealand thereby removing a very large burden from an already over-burdened Department
of Conservation and taxpayer. Why? Why? It doesn’t make sense but then bureaucrats often don’t with their own agendas."
Les Kelly welcomed the Coalition Governments budget announcement of a further $45.5 million a year for DoC for the next
4 years, but added " the Department is still desperately under-funded and would only be able to “control" 25% of the
public’s conservation estate, what is the the fate of the remaining 75% ?, he asked.
He said his group was astonished and disappointed that the new Labour Coalition Government was following the plans and
strategies of the previous National Government, 'control', and to use even more toxins, and at higher concentrations.
"This current 'control' method has been used for over 30 years and is clearly not working, the disastrous rate of
decline of our wildlife is evidence of this failure. " he said, “ This expensive strategy will need to be repeated year
after year and more importantly will not gain the vital community support required for a successful predator free New
Zealand.”
Les Kelly said it was disappointing that Labour Government's coalition partner, NZ First, seemed to be supporting aerial
dispersion of toxins, when, prior to the elections they had pledged to stop this practice . Also questionable was the
rationale of the Green Party in pushing for increased toxin dosage and usage and choosing to ignore a non-toxin
approach.
"Have they not done their homework, what about the 'Clean Green' image they want to promote?" he asked.
Les Kelly emphasised that, to be successful a non-toxin Predator Free New Zealand has to be owned by all New Zealanders,
be a non-government organisation with no political appointees, which would ensure it was an attractive option for
private long term fund providers that would relieve a large burden from the taxpayer through innovative fund raising
which was unavailable to the Department of Conservation.
“It would also avoid bureaucratic wastage and delays and, more importantly, eliminate future political interference that
has hampered the Department of Conservation over the years" he said.
Kelly's original pfnz group had completed a strategy/feasibility/benefit document which covered the costs for a complete
mainland non-toxin pfnz,
“It is on-line at predatorfreenz.com,” he added
From the beginning, the original Predator Free NZ had communicated and met with people of conservation influence,
including the previous National Government's senior Ministers, Forest and Bird, iwi, Landcare and others.
“We introduced them to the pfnz concept of eradicating the introduced predators preying on the endangered species on the
mainland of New Zealand.”
Kelly expressed frustration at trying to deal with political and bureaucratic forces.
“We have tried to communicate with Ministers of the previous and current Government's to have our stolen property
returned so that we can establish an NGO (non-government-organisation independent of Government), a not-for-profit
predator free organisation. But all to no avail. Many written requests have been ignored. Why, when it’s relieving the
taxpayer of the funding burden, is ecologically safe unlike toxins - and will succeed.”
Les Kelly said his group were demanding answers to two key questions from the Labour Coalition Government;-
Why were they persisting with mass toxin applications when there is a economically environmental friendly, Department of
Conservation proven non-toxin alternative ?
Why was the Government not returning the stolen predator free NZ name and concept when the Department of Conservation
was actively pursuing partnerships using the stolen name?