Information relating to wasp control on Kapiti Island
Karl Webber made this Official Information request to Department of Conservation
Department of Conservation did not have the information requested.
From: Karl Webber
Dear Department of Conservation,
Could you please provide me with any information relating to the control of wasps on Kapiti Island and the nearby three offshore islands. In particular information relating to the nest mite release undertaken approximately 1990-1995, and any research undertaken to identify any current or ongoing perceived threats.
Yours faithfully,
Karl Webber
Motungarara Island
From: OIA
Department of Conservation
Dear Karl
On behalf of the Director-General of the Department of Conservation, I confirm receipt of your request for official information. Your request has been forwarded to the relevant business group for processing. You will receive a reply in accordance with the requirements of the Official Information Act 1982.
Yours sincerely
Brian Sheppard
for Director-General
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From: Sharon Alexander
Department of Conservation
Good Afternoon Mr Webber
On behalf of Damian Coutts, Director Conservation Services, Lower North
Island, please find attached the response to your request.
Yours sincerely,
Sharon Alexander
Sharon Alexander
PA to the Conservation Services Director
Te Papaioea | Palmerston North Office | Lower North Island Region
96 Malden Street, Palmerston North | Private Bag 11010, Palmerston North
4442
VPN 6954 | DD: 06 350 6204 | M: 027 722 5430
Department of Conservation, Te Papa Atawhai [1]www.doc.govt.nz
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From: Karl Webber
Dear Sharon Alexander,
Thank you for your partial reply to my request.
I say partial because I specifically mentioned I wanted information relating to the release of a parasitic wasp or nest mite that was released around 1990 - 1995.
I spent regular time at Motungarara Island and the north end of Kapiti before, during and after this release and witnessed the immediate decline in the numbers of wasps, this continued until around 2008 when we noticed the incremental increase in wasp numbers.
In my opinion a second release should have been looked at, at that time.
The statement -
The use of biological control, using the parasitoid is not that successful. Mathematical modelling suggests that the parasitoid may suppress wasp density by a maximum of 25% after 20–30 years
What research is this based on ? an island environment ? with an enclosed/isolated ecosystem.
Does the words "suggests" and "may suppress" mean this is an assumption rather than data from trials ?
I have been unable to find any relevant studies or research and DOC have been unwilling to engage in discussion around this issue, and for at least the past eight years I have been attempting to open a line of communication, apart from a statement letter from the minister to the Waiorua Trust a half a dozen years ago stating there is no problem, DOC have only offered to supply me with baits that I can find and destroy nests at Motungarara.
This doesn't solve the problem of wasps encroaching from Kapiti to the other offsohre Islands, nor does it assist with the wasp numbers at the private land at Waiorua.
In light of the national focus on expected increase in pest species numbers this season wouldn't this be an opportune time to put a little more thought and effort into this matter ?
As you are probably aware Island environments can be and often are an excellent trialling ecosystem for this type of issue.
We are and have been ready to assist and be assisted with eradicating wasps at and around Kapiti, It is a continued matter of disappointment to me that DOC wont engage nor accept that we have a problem.
I have spoken to past Kapiti caretakers who don"t remember or were not around, researched the internet and sent emails and letters to DOC
I have been redirected to approximately eight different people by DOC over the past few years over this matter, and have been either redirected to others, referred back to the ministers letter, or put on hold pending information or approval from somebodies new boss.
I look forward to any further assistance you may be able to give before we engage with our Iwi and community over this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Karl Webber
From: Sharon Alexander
Department of Conservation
Dear Mr Webber
Please accept this email as acknowledgement of your email attached below.
We have sent your email on for further follow up.
I will be back in touch once this follow up has been completed.
Yours sincerely,
Sharon Alexander
(on behalf of Conservation Services Director, Lower North Island).
Sharon Alexander
PA to the Conservation Services Director
Te Papaioea | Palmerston North Office | Lower North Island Region
96 Malden Street, Palmerston North | Private Bag 11010, Palmerston North 4442
VPN 6954 | DD: 06 350 6204 | M: 027 722 5430
Department of Conservation, Te Papa Atawhai www.doc.govt.nz
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From: Karl Webber
Dear Sharon Alexander,
As it is normally expected to receive a response to a FIA request within a month of the initial request, could you please check and advise where this request is at at your end ?
Yours sincerely,
Karl Webber
From: Sharon Alexander
Department of Conservation
Kia Ora
I am out of the office at present.
If your query is for Damian Coutts (Conservation Services Director, Lower
North Island) please contact Damian directly - 06 350 6950 (please leave
him a message).
For all other queries, please try Admin Reception - VPN 6951.
Many thanks, Sharon.
Caution - This message and accompanying data may contain information that
is confidential or subject to legal privilege. If you are not the intended
recipient you are notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or
copying of this message or data is prohibited. If you received this email
in error, please notify us immediately and erase all copies of the message
and attachments. We apologise for the inconvenience. Thank you.
From: Sharon Alexander
Department of Conservation
Good Afternoon Mr Webber
I can confirm that we have forwarded your request for additional information/review (dated 19 November 2014) on to the most relevant Manager for review as requested.
This matter was followed up earlier this week directly with the Manager. We will contact you as soon as the reply is available.
Your sincerely,
Sharon
checked this week as to where they are at and can confirm that you will receive was forwarded on the 20 November 2014 to the Conservation Services (one day after receipt of yfor further review as requested. I can also advise that
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From: Karl Webber
Dear Sharon Alexander,
Thanks for your reply, I look forward to receiving a bit more information.
Just to clarify, I wasn't so much requesting additional information, I was requesting information specifically relevant to my original request, mainly the nest mite/biological release undertaken on Kapiti by DOC about 15-20 years ago.
I am hoping if i have this information I may be better able to engage with DOC or other interested parties to take a serious look at steps that could be taken to proactively prevent a re infestation of wasps at Kapiti and the other offshore islets in the future.
Thanks again.
Yours sincerely,
Karl Webber
From: Sharon Alexander
Department of Conservation
Good Morning Mr Webber
As requested, please find attached a copy of the reply for little more
specific information in relation to the response given for OIA-14-E-282.
Yours sincerely,
Sharon
(on behalf of Damian Coutts, Conservation Services Director, Lower North
Island)
Sharon Alexander
PA to the Conservation Services Director
Te Papaioea | Palmerston North Office | Lower North Island Region
96 Malden Street, Palmerston North | Private Bag 11010, Palmerston North
4442
VPN 6954 | DD: 06 350 6204 | M: 027 722 5430
Department of Conservation, Te Papa Atawhai [1]www.doc.govt.nz
Caution - This message and accompanying data may contain information that
is confidential or subject to legal privilege. If you are not the intended
recipient you are notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or
copying of this message or data is prohibited. If you received this email
in error, please notify us immediately and erase all copies of the message
and attachments. We apologise for the inconvenience. Thank you.
References
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1. http://www.doc.govt.nz/
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