Mt Pirongia Poison Drop Breaches Manufacturer's Warning

On the 22nd of August, 2014, 32,000 kilos of 1080 poison bait was cast across Mt Pirongia, near Hamilton. It was enough poison to kill 240,000 people, almost twice the population of Hamilton...

A previous 2007 drop across the mountain was "hailed a success" by Waikato Regional Council, despite farmers raising concern about contamination, including to drinking water.

The New Zealand manufacturer's (owned by NZ Govt) 1080 poison label includes the following warnings -

"Ecotoxic",
"Toxic to terrestrial vertebrates."
"Take measures to reduce of non-target animals being exposed to the toxin either through eating the baits or by scavenging the carcasses of poisoned animals."
"Harmful to aquatic organisms."
"Take all practicable steps to manage any harmful effects of a spillage including preventing baits from accidentally entering streams or waterways."
"This product is toxic to wildlife. Birds and mammals feeding on carcasses of contaminated animals may be fatally poisoned."
"Where practicable, the exposed bodies of all poisoned animals should be collected and destroyed by complete burning or deep burial in a landfill approved for hazardous substances. Dehydrated carcasses may remain dangerous to dogs or cats for an indefinite period. A single mouse poisoned by 1080 may contain enough poison to kill an adult dog."
"Take measures to minimise the chance of baits accidentally entering any body of water."

And ... "Apply the product only as specified by label directions." ...

Flight charts released by the Department of Conservation reveal that 1080 poison was dropped directly into most streams and catchments, including to eight of the nine known water abstraction points. Poisoned carcasses have been left to rot in the streams, and animal welfare concerns have been raised. The Department of Conservation Mt Pirongia aerial drop, breached or ignored all of these warnings ...