NZ battles pests to save native birds

New Zealand's largest pest control programme has been given the go ahead to protect native wildlife from a plague of rats and stoats, Conservation Minister Nick Smith says.

Dr Smith outlined the "battle for our birds" programme in January. The final programme has now been determined.

Some new areas have been added, such as D'Urville Island in the Marlborough Sounds, some expanded like in the Kahurangi National Park, and some may not proceed due to pest count numbers not yet reaching thresholds.

"Forest monitoring has confirmed that about a million tonne of seed has dropped in this year's beech mast and that this has triggered a plague of rodents of biblical proportions," Dr Smith said.

"These seeds will soon germinate leaving hordes of starving rats and stoats that, if not controlled, will go on to kill millions of our native birds in spring and summer."

The programme involves a mix of aerial and ground control using toxins and traps. It does not involve drops from the air of 1080, which have been controversial.

The programme begins this month and runs until November. It covers 29 forests totalling 700,000 hectares. A further 14 forests covering 200,000 hectares are on close watch and will also have pest control operations if monitored predator numbers exceed thresholds.

The programme will cost between $9 million and $12m this year, and has a budget of $21m over five years.

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NZ battles pests to save native birds