Overcoming barriers to Maori inclusion in the appropriate use of 1080 : final report

Sodium monofluoroacetate (Compound 1080) is used in New Zealand for the control of introduced pests, including possums and rabbits. This is the final report of a research programme aimed at empowering Maori to access research information on the impacts of 1080 on non-target species, ultimately allowing Maori to have a greater role in the appropriate use of 1080. The research reported here was undertaken between August 2005 and May 2006

Sodium fluoroacetate (compound 1080) uptake by Puha, a culturally-important food plant

Sodium fluoroacetate (Compound 1080) is a key tool in the control of possums, and the most extensively used vertebrate pesticide in New Zealand (Livingstone 1994; Morgan 1994a, b; Thomas 1994; Gillies and Pierce 1999; Powlesland et al. 1999; Sherley et al. 1999; Styche and Speed 2002). The most common method of control using this pesticide is via aerial application of cereal or carrot baits containing 1080 (Eason et al. 2000). This is a cost effective means of reducing possum populations by more than 90% (Eason et al. 1994, Veltman and Pinder 2001). Despite the efficiency of aerial 1080 application for reducing possum population numbers, support amongst Māori is mixed. In general, Māori oppose the use of toxins in the environment, despite the benefits to be had through the control of pests. In particular, there is much opposition around the aerial use of 1080 (Ogilvie et al. in press). Para (1999) documented concerns of Māori regarding the fate of 1080 in wild harvested kai (food) species. The risk of secondary poisoning of people using kai resources has previously been identified as key research by the Animal Health Board (AHB), Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) and Māori. During aerial application of 1080 baits, there is the possibility that 1080 may leach from baits and be taken up by nearby plants (Atzert 1971; Rammel and Fleming 1978). More recent laboratory research has shown that 1080 can be taken up by terrestrial and aquatic plants, including Myriophyllum triphyllum, a native aquatic New Zealand plant (Ogilvie et al. 1995); Elodea canadensis, an introduced aquatic species (Ogilvie et al. 1996); and broadleaf and ryegrass, both terrestrial species (Ogilvie et al. 1998). In a field setting where a simulated aerial 1080 operation has been conducted, low concentrations of 1080 were found in Coprosma robusta, or karamuramu, a native species used as medicine by Māori; however no 1080 was found in Asplenium bulbiferum, or pikopiko, a native species commonly consumed by Māori (Ogilvie et al. 2006). This report is part of a research programme conducted to investigate the uptake and persistence of 1080 in watercress and puha. This report focuses only on data generated from the puha component of this work. The watercress component will be reported at a later date.Research was undertaken for the Animal Health Board Inc. (AHB) under Contract R-80694 “Uptake of 1080 by Watercress and Puha” by Lincoln University

Creating and publicising a web-based database of 1080 and taonga species information: final report

The research was aimed at producing a web-based database of information on 1080 impacts on non-target species, identified as important by Maori. The research reported here was carried out between August 2006 and June 2007, and was undertaken by a collaborative team of researchers from Lincoln University, Landcare Research Ltd, Lake Waikaremoana Hapu Restoration Trust, and Tuhoe Tuawhenua Trust

Investigation of tutin, a naturally-occurring plant toxin, as a novel, culturally-acceptable rodenticide in New Zealand

He nui nga mātauranga a te Māori (Ngai Tūhoe) e pā ana ki nga momo hua tāokeoke (Toxins) etaea ana te whakarite hei rauemi tāwai i ngā riha kīrearea, pērā anō ki nga whiu takarangi o te tāoke 1080. I whakamātauhia e matou i nga ira tāoke o roto o te hua Tutu, ki rō taiwhanga pūtaiao. Mā te wero atu ki tētahi kiore (Norway Rat) i hua mai ngā mohiotanga o te nui me te momo o ngā tāokeoke kei roto i tēnei miro Māori, me te āhua o tēnei tāoke kia mau-rohā tonu tōna tuku whakahemo (Humaneness). Kei tua o te 55 mg kg⁻¹neke atu, te ine i tūtuki pai ai nga tāhawahawatanga o te miro Tutu, ā, e mau-roha tonu ana te kōhurutanga o te r iha. Ko te whakatau kia kawea atu tēnei kaupapa ki nga ahurewa rangahau e taea ai te waihanga i tētahi mōunu tāokeoke, kia whakamātauria ki rō ngāhere. Hei tāpiritanga ki tēnei, he roa rawa te wā e pakari ai te whanaketanga mai o tētahi tākoe e rerekē ana ki te 1080, anō nei, mā ngā kawenga o te mātauranga Māori ki tēnei take e whanake tika ai te kaupapa nei. New Zealand has many introduced mammalian species that are managed as pests of conservation and/or economic importance, including four rodent species. Vertebrate pesticides are the most important rodent management tool, largely dominated by anticoagulants such as brodifacoum, and by the metabolic disruptor, Compound 1080. There has been considerable opposition to these pesticides, primarily based on concerns about environmental persistence and non-target effects; Maori have been particularly vocal in opposition. Maori have place-based knowledge about naturally-occurring plant toxins that could be used as culturally-acceptable alternatives to existing rodenticides. In the context of the research presented here, the term ‘culturally-acceptable’ refers to new pest control options that have been co-designed with Matauranga Maori experts that inherently include Maori ways of thinking, being, and acting. Tuhoe researchers in our study wanted to pursue the most promising natural toxic compound found in native plants as a suitable alternative to current vertebrate pesticides. Therefore, we undertook an oral gavage trial to assess the toxicity of tutin, the toxin active in tutu (Coriaria arborea), to the Norway rat, (Rattus norvegicus). Tutin was toxic to this species at a dose of 55 mg kg⁻¹, with a quick, humane death compared to other existing rodenticides. At a dose rate of 55 mg kg⁻¹, all animals of both sexes died within an hour, and once neurological poisoning symptoms commenced these animals were unconscious within 5-10 minutes. We conclude it is warranted to take the next logical research step, which is to prove whether this dose rate would be technically attainable in the field. Although for now New Zealand remains reliant on 1080 and anti-coagulants for mammalian pest control, efforts should continue to develop more targeted toxins and delivery systems. We recommend incorporating Matauranga Maori to identify alternative control tools that could lead to more culturally acceptable pest control

Uptake of 1080 by watercress and puha – culturally important plants used for food

This research was aimed at examining the uptake and persistence of 1080 in two plants of cultural importance, puha, (Sonchus spp.) and watercress (Nasturtium microphyllum/officinale). The work was carried out between September 2007 and March 2009

Uptake and persistence of 1080 in plants of cultural importance

Research was undertaken for the Animal Health Board under Contract R-80620 "Iwi research on 1080 in plants of cultural importance" to Lincoln University, to determine the field uptake and persistence of 1080 in plants of cultural importance to Maori. The research reported here was carried out between August 2003 and June 2004. The objectives of the study was to identify two culturally-important plant species that may be effected by aerial 1080 bait application. Also to measure the uptake and elimination of 1080 in these selected plant species of cultural importance at field sites using application of 1080 baits. Finally to report findings and engage members of the Lake Waikaremoana Hapu Restoration Trust (Ngai Tuhoe ), and Tuawhenua Trust (Ngai Tuhoe) in a dialogue process regarding the fate of 1080 in plants

Vertebrate pesticide risk assessment by indigenous communities in New Zealand

In New Zealand, the vertebrate pesticide sodium fluoroacetate (Compound 1080) is aerially applied in baits for control of the brush-tailed possum Trichosurus vulpecula (Kerr, 1792). Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, have raised concerns about 1080 impacts on culturally-important species. Here, we outline two steps taken to help Maori assess 1080 risk. First, field research was undertaken to determine if naturally-occurring plants utilized by a Maori community for food and medicine would take up 1080 from baits. Single baits were placed at the base of individual plants of two species, pikopiko (Asplenium bulbiferum) and karamuramu (Coprosma robusta). Plants were sampled at various times up to 56 days, and samples were analyzed for 1080 content. No 1080 was detected in any of the pikopiko samples, whereas 1080 was detected in karamuramu, at a maximum concentration of 5 ppb after seven days, and 2.5 ppb after 14 days. This concentration decreased to 0 at 28 days, indicating that 1080 was not persistent. The results of the present study suggest there is negligible risk of humans being poisoned by consuming plants that have taken up 1080 from baits. To allay community concerns that minute concentrations of 1080 might influence the medicinal properties of plants, it is suggested that a withholding period of 30 days after 1080 control operations could be adopted. Second, after further consultation we undertook a review of the scientific literature relating to 1080 impacts on additional non-target species of cultural importance to Maori. The information was presented on an interactive foodweb database that allowed the collection and presentation of a large volume of complex information about 1080 in a holistic and pictorial fashion. This database was presented to many Maori communities throughout New Zealand, and feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The database is likely to play a key role in informing these communities about 1080, and is seen as an important new tool to help these communities make their own risk assessments

Whakamanahia Te mātauranga o te Māori: Empowering Māori knowledge to support Aotearoa’s aquatic biological heritage

As Aotearoa New Zealand grapples with developing solutions to complex issues surrounding its unique freshwater and marine biological heritage, there is a growing recognition that mātauranga Māori can be ‘unlocked’ and used with great effect alongside western science. Examples where appropriate consideration and development of robust methodologies for the application of mātauranga Māori coexisting alongside western science are increasing. Unfortunately, despite the benefits that can be derived from this collaboration, the quality of engagement is not always satisfactory often due to poor interpersonal relationships and misidentification of the knowledge holders. By providing an appropriately historical context, this article is able to consider the critical issues now facing mātauranga and the Māori knowledge holders today, and fundamental requirements that will empower application of this knowledge within bio-heritage management. We consider how the development of a methodology between mātauranga Māori holders and potential end-users might contribute to improved outcomes for Aotearoa’s biological heritage

Distribution and concentration of the phytotoxin tutin in tutu (Coriaria arborea) - Implications for use as a vertebrate pesticide

Efforts to develop new chemical tools for vertebrate pest control in Aotearoa/New Zealand now include tangata whenua in investigations of natural resources that are found in “our backyard”. Ngāi Tūhoe and Ngāti Ruapanirepresentatives are collaborating with a multi-disciplinary research team that has identified a native plant toxin, tutin, which shows promise for further investigation as a vertebrate pesticide. A decision-making framework has assisted in the selection of the ‘new’ tool and criteria around how that tool might be sourced and utilised as toxic bait. For our tangata whenua research partners, this means investigating natural extraction of the toxin from its source plant, tutu (Coriaria arborea), as opposed to synthetic production. Therefore, characterisation of tutin concentration distribution in different parts of the plant and across seasons is fundamental to how this might be used in pest control. Between March 2011 and April 2012, different parts of tutu were sampled from two populations in the Whirinaki Forest Park, Te Urewera, using historical medical reports of human poisoning events to guide the selection of plant parts. With the assistance of Tūhoe kaumatua, the following plant parts were identified and sampled: young shoots, mature leaves that were older than six months,mature leaves that were aged 12 months or older, immature fruit and ripe fruit. Preliminary results of LC-MS analyses indicate that immature fruit are the most toxic, followed closely by young leaves. This presentation discusses the data and the potential implications for development of tutin as a pest control tool