Clayton Mitchell New Zealand First MP

The use of 1080 as predator and pest control has been in place in New Zealand for over 60 years. Yet the problem of predators and pests has not diminished.

The very chemical that should have handled the problem over the years does not seem to be effective, yet it is still used widely throughout the country. 1080 is spread by aerial application. It is dumped into an area by helicopter. The chemical is indiscriminate, and it affects everything it touches. Any animal that consumes it dies a slow, painful death.

Prior to the election, New Zealand First committed to the allocation of adequate resourcing and initiation of proper and urgent research into alternatives to 1080. We are proud to be part of a coalition government which set aside $81 million in Budget 2018 for pest control.

New Zealand First believes that there are more effective alternative ways of managing predators and pests without the need to harm the environment and other animals. Exploration of alternative means of pest control is long overdue. New Zealand First is the only party to propose this and welcomes the funding boost that will allow for the eventual phasing out of 1080 to occur.