Official Information Request - 16 October 2018

Sent: Friday, 2 November 2018 8:13 a.m.

Subject: TRIM: Official Information request - ownership of Whaka Forest and 1080 poison drops

I refer to your online information request of 16 October 2018 regarding ownership of Whakarewarewa Forest and aerial 1080 drops.

Council has a Crown Forest Licence over 290 Ha of Tokorangi Forest to grow trees that joins with 3247 Ha of forest managed by Timberlands (under another Crown Forest Licence) to collectively make up the 3537 Ha of what is commonly known as Whakarewarewa Forest.

Rotorua Council manages public recreation across all of Whakarewarewa Forest. Council also has an easement over 490 Ha of Whakarewarewa Forest for irrigation of waste water.

Council does not have any shares in land ownership of any parts of this forest. The land is owned by the Central North Island Iwi Collective under the Central North Island Forest Land Collective Settlement Act 2008.

Adjacent to Lake Tikitapu and adjoining the Whakarewarewa Forest is 309 Ha of Conservation Park managed by the Department of Conservation.

Your queries around the Department of Conservation undertaking aerial 1080 drops need to be directed to this Department.

The Rotorua Lakes Council does not use any 1080 or any animal pesticide in Tokorangi Forest. In the parts of Whakarewarewa Forest managed by Timberlands, aerial drops of any animal pesticides are not undertaken but hand laid pindone and ferotox baits in some compartments is undertaken from time to time.

As per the Act, we are obliged to advise that you may contact the Ombudsman at the address below if you have any concerns with the response provided by Council, by writing to:

The Office of the Ombudsman

PO Box 10 152

WELLINGTON 6143

Alternatively, you may email info@ombudsman.parliament.nz or use the online complaints form available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/make-a-complaint.

Regards