ROTOROA ISLAND STOP & CHECK before you GO.
Pests have successfully been eradicated from Rotoroa Island, making it the the safe haven for native birds and wildlife you'll find today.
Before visiting Rotoroa Island, please help us protect our pest-free status by following this island care code.
Check your gear for pests.
Check that your gear is free of rats, mice, ants, plague skinks (formally rainbow skinks), soil and seeds, especially camping gear which has ideal places for pests to hide in when stored). Take extra care to ensure gear is pest-free if you have Argentine ants or plague skinks where you live. Small animals and their eggs are easily moved in gear and soil.
Seal your gear properly and avoid stowaways.
Pack all food in sealed containers to avoid attracting rodents. If you are bringing catered food onto the island, inform the catering company that you are travelling to a pest-free island. All bags must be zipped closed (no open bags). All boxes must be sealed with no holes (e.g., no banana boxes). Mice, ants, and plague skinks are sneaky and can crawl in through the smallest hole - please be vigilant.
Pack in – Pack out -Take your rubbish home with you.
You must take all rubbish with you when you leave Rotoroa Island. Clean your clothing, footwear and camping gear, removing soil and seeds before and after each trip. Look out for cleaning stations at your departure pier and use the brushes to scrub your shoes before boarding the ferry.
Why is this so important?
Pests have successfully been eradicated from the Hauraki Gulf’s conservation islands, making them sanctuaries for native birds and wildlife. But unfortunately, pests can (and do) make it to the islands by stowing away on shoes or in gear and on boats if we’re not careful. Pests like rats, mice, Argentine ants, and plague skinks (formally rainbow skinks) injure and kill our native wildlife and compete for their food.
· Invasive weeds can alter the habitat that wildlife needs to survive.
· Soil may contain plant diseases like kauri dieback which is killing our kauri forests. Rats can squeeze through a 12 mm gap while mice can squeeze through a 7mm gap. Insects could hide in your bag, and weed seeds and soil could cling to items such as your clothing, prams, gear, and shoes.
· Once found on an island pests are extremely time consuming and expensive to remove, let alone the risks they pose to native species. Please help us avoid this happening. STOP and CHECK before you GO to Rotoroa.
Found a pest?
On the mainland: Get rid of the pest and clean your gear again.
On the ferry: Tell the crew what you have found and where it is.
On Rotoroa Island: Immediately report it to the Duty Ranger on 09 283 0849