19-E-0372 / DOC 6000339
3 July 2019
Hannah Enderby
via fyi.org.nz
Dear Ms Enderby
Thank you for your Official Information Act (OIA) request to the Department of
Conservation dated 6 June 2019. You requested the following:
Please list all types of tracking and monitoring devices you have. List the
numbers of each device that is operational.
Context to your request
Tracking and monitoring devices are widely dispersed across New Zealand and there
are a wide variety of tools and processes employed for that purpose.
Tracking and monitoring can range from tracking predator footprints to attaching
radio transmitters to endangered species to counting seed-fall in our forests.
Examples of some of that work can be found at the links below:
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/predator-free-2050/toolkit-
predator-free-2050/monitoring/how-to-monitor-rats-and-stoats/how-to-monitor-
using-tracking-tunnels/
https://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/run-a-project/our-procedures-and-
sops/ground-based-radio-tracking-protocol/
https://docnewzealand.shinyapps.io/seedrain_shiny/
The work we undertake in tracking and monitoring informs the crucial work we
perform in our predator control programmes. That work is designed to ensure that
New Zealand’s native species are protected and given the chance to thrive and be
enjoyed by generations to come.
Our response to your request
Information relating to each tracking and monitoring device is held by the local
Department office that is responsible for each device, and therefore there is no single,
centralised record that lists all devices.
Maintaining a single list of all tracking and monitoring devices is not practical
because of the sheer number of tracking and monitoring devices that are used by the
Department. For example, the Department currently holds information relating to
over 1.4 million bird bands that are used for tracking birds, and it would be
impossible to maintain a single list of all of these bird bands. This is just one example
of why it is difficult to maintain a single list of all tracking and monitoring devices –
this is also the case with other devices such as trapping tunnels that are used to
monitor rats.
It is important to understand that the OIA does not require an agency to create new
information for the purpose of responding to a request for information. As we do not
hold the list you have requested, we have decided to refuse your request under
section 18(e) of the Official Information Act 1982 on the basis that the information
you have requested does not exist.
You have the right, under section 28(3) of the Official Information Act to make a
complaint to an Ombudsman about the contents of this letter.
Yours sincerely,
Amber Bill
Director Threats
For Director-General
