Kia ora Nigel,
Thank you for your official information request to the Department of
Conservation, received on 18/03/2026.
Your reference number is OIAD-6189.
 
We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible and no
later than 17/04/2026, being 20 working days after the day your request
was received. If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will
notify you of an extension of that timeframe.
If you have any queries email us at [1][email address].
Ngā mihi
Government Services
Department of Conservation
Te Papa Atawhai
Privacy: Your details have been recorded in DOC's workflow system and will
be used to provide you with a response to, and communicate with you about,
your request. Records are retained, used and disposed of in accordance
with the Privacy Act 2020 and the Public Records Act 2005. See our
[2]privacy statements for more information about how DOC manages personal
information.

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Kia ora Nigel,

 

Thank you for your OIA request of 18 March 2026, asking for:

 

“I am requesting the following information under the Official Information
Act 1982.

1. Stated Purpose of the 1080 Programme

Please provide all documents that define or describe the purpose of the
1080 programme, including the exact wording used in:

·       internal policy documents

·       operational manuals

·       strategic plans

·       Cabinet papers

·       Ministerial briefings

·       internal memos or emails summarising the programme’s purpose

2. End‑Goal: Eradication or Suppression

Please provide all documents that state whether the purpose of the 1080
programme is:

eradication of target species, or long‑term suppression of target species

This includes any documents that define the intended end‑state or outcome.

3. Target Dates, Milestones, and Performance Indicators

Please provide all documents that specify any:

·       target dates

·       milestones

·       timelines

·       performance indicators

…relating to achieving the programme’s stated purpose.

4. Changes in Stated Purpose Over Time

Please provide any documents that show how the stated purpose of the 1080
programme has changed since its introduction, including:

·       revisions to policy

·       updated strategic goals

·       changes in operational intent

5. Intended Duration of the Programme

Please provide all documents and correspondence that indicate:

whether the 1080 programme was intended to be temporary, short‑term,
medium‑term, or long‑term

any expected duration stated at the time the programme was initiated any
later assessments or reviews discussing how long the programme is expected
to continue any documents describing whether 1080 use was intended to be
phased out, replaced, or maintained indefinitely

This includes internal discussions, planning documents, strategic reviews,
and any correspondence addressing the expected length of time the
programme would run.

Format

Electronic copies are preferred.”

 

Unfortunately, the way your request is currently framed it’s likely that
we’ll have to refuse it under section 18(f) of the OIA, as the information
can’t be made available without substantial collation and research.

 

This is because your request is very extensive, and a large amount of
information is in scope. However, if you’re able to refine your request,
it could help us to provide a response. If you are able to limit the date
range for the information you need or provide a date range for specific
predator control operations, we believe we could respond to your request.
Please note that given the scope of the National Predator Control
Programme (detailed further below), it would need to be substantially
refined in order to be manageable under the OIA.

 

I note you have asked for information about DOC’s “1080 programme”. For
clarity, DOC does not have a “1080 programme”. It does have a predator
control programme that uses 1080, alongside other toxins and traps, to
protect threatened wildlife by controlling possums, rats, and stoats. I
assume this is the DOC programme that you are interested in.

 

If you’d like to refine your request to help us respond, please reply to
this email with your new request.

 

Further information can be found online at the following link -
[1]National Predator Control Programme: Our work. This includes
information on how and why DOC uses 1080, information on where pesticides
are used, and current and upcoming operations. These resources may be
useful in assisting you in refining your request.

 

Please note, any clarification or amendment of a request is considered to
be a new request for the purpose of calculating the maximum statutory
timeframe for response— see section 15(1AA) of the OIA for specific
details.

 

Kind regards,

 

Dan
Senior OIA Advisor

Department of Conservation  | Te Papa Atawhai

Whare Kaupapa Atawhai | Conservation House Wellington

[2]www.doc.govt.nz

[3]The DOC logo: a green, blue and white shield with the words Department
of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai

 

Caution - This message and accompanying data may contain information that
is confidential or subject to legal privilege. If you are not the intended
recipient you are notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or
copying of this message or data is prohibited. If you received this email
in error, please notify us immediately and erase all copies of the message
and attachments. We apologise for the inconvenience. Thank you.

References

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