A storm has erupted on social
media following a story in the Northern Advocate reporting that the
Whangārei Native Bird Recovery Centre had been fined $400 for a breach
involving a kiwi. The "breach" was allowing a child to pat a kiwi
chick.
DOC's team leader for “wildlife crime” said kiwi permits require handlers to follow a best practice manual. The “crime” was that the child was not an approved handler, although Robert Webb is, and he was present at the time the offence was committed.
LETTERBOX has written to DOC
asking it to explain what appears to be an inconsistency in the way it applies
enforcement.
"Please explain the
inconsistency between the prosecution of Robert Webb from the Whangārei Native
Bird Recovery Centre for allowing a child to pat a kiwi and allowing John Key
and Helen Clark to handle kiwi in 2021. Please also explain the inconsistency
between prosecuting Robert Webb and not prosecuting a group from Ngātiwai for
illegally landing on the Poor Knights Islands Nature Reserve to erect a
pou."
We await a reply from its comms
department.
More
Northern Advocate: Whangārei Native Bird Recovery Centre flooded with support after fine over handling of kiwi, HERE >>>
1News: Unlikely pairing Helen Clark, Sir John Key let go of political differences for kiwi conservation, HERE >>>
RNZ: Ngātiwai lands on 'tapu' Poor Knights Islands in defiance of marine law change, HERE >>>