iSAYSO
Predator control and toxin use)
Thank you for your request to the Department of Conservation, in which you asked a number of questions about the Department’s approach and policies to ‘decision-making frameworks, environmental monitoring, and institutional learning across historical and current environmental interventions’
As currently framed, your request is not easily understood or defined. The wording in your request is not specific enough to understand what is sought. DOC undertakes pest control at various sites across New Zealand, to protect native biodiversity. Decisions are made based on a variety of information and there is not a single ‘decision making framework’. The request may cover a range of information held across several separate business groups. Consulting with each group, searching for, collating, and reviewing the relevant material, would involve a substantial amount of work. It is also anticipated that a significant volume of information would be identified.
It would therefore be helpful if you could clarify what information you are seeking, or the purpose for which it is required, so we can better narrow your request and provide information of most relevance to your interests.
Without refinement, your request is likely to be refused on the basis of substantial research or collation.
You may find the following website useful to consider how DOC run’s its national predator control programme: National Predator Control Programme: Our work
Ngā mihi
From: Records <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, 18 April 2026 10:16 am
To: OIATeam <[email protected]>; Info <[email protected]>; Official Information Act <[email protected]>; Info <[email protected]>
Cc: Records <[email protected]>
Subject: OIA
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT REQUEST
1. Introduction
This request is made pursuant to the Official Information Act 1982. This request concerns decision-making frameworks, environmental monitoring, and institutional learning across historical and current environmental interventions.
2. Purpose
To assess whether lessons from past interventions (including predator control and toxin use) have been formally recorded, evaluated, and incorporated into current decision-making frameworks, including those relating to gene technology and environmental management.
3. Scope of Request
A. Decision-Making Frameworks
• Documents describing frameworks used in predator control (including 2019 beech mast response).
• Documents describing frameworks used in current environmental or gene technology decisions.
• Criteria, thresholds, or triggers used to initiate or justify interventions.
B. Risk Identification and Assessment
• Records showing how risks were identified and assessed.
• Comparisons of short-term vs long-term risks.
• Consideration of environmental, economic, and public health impacts.
C. Post-Implementation Review and Learning
• Reviews or audits of predator control and toxin operations.
• Documents identifying lessons learned or unintended consequences.
• Recommendations for future improvements.
D. Incorporation of Lessons
• Records showing how lessons were applied to current frameworks.
• Reasons where lessons were not applied.
E. Environmental Contaminants and Monitoring
• Documents describing environmental monitoring frameworks.
• Substances currently monitored and known monitoring gaps.
• Records relating to microplastics, chemical residues, or emerging contaminants.
• Assessments of contamination linked to interventions.
• Audits identifying monitoring limitations or blind spots.
F. Accountability and Oversight
• Identification of decision-makers and oversight mechanisms.
• Records assessing failures or process limitations.
4. Form of Response
Please provide information in electronic form. Where information is withheld, please specify the statutory basis and whether partial release is possible.
Thank you,
TRACY LYNCH
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