Kevin Hackwell
Protecting wetlands on private property
Private land-owners are being urged to protect freshwater wetlands in their own back yard. Just over 90 percent of New Zealand's original wetlands have been lost, and a series of satellite images… Audio, Gallery
Urgent action called for on Ocean Acidification
Forest and Bird have raised some grave prospects for the ocean due to carbon emissions in their report Ocean Acidification - Implications for New Zealand. Chief conservation adviser Kevin Hackwell… Audio
Forest and Bird warns ocean acidity could more than double
Forest and Bird says the levels of acidity in the ocean could more than double in a century if carbon emissions aren't drastically reduced. They've published a report today that says increased levels… Audio
Leadership 'lacking' in new conservation strategy
The government's new action plan for biodiversity involves making the country pest free by 2050, and reducing fishing bycatch of seabirds and marine mammals, to zero. But a conservation ecologist says… Audio
Enormous seed mast to bring influx of rodents
When our trees "mast", they produce heavy flowering and seeding - providing lots of food for native wildlife, but also bringing out a LOT of rodents along with it Audio
Forest & Bird responds to anti-1080 campaigners
Expert advice given to parliament's speaker Trevor Mallard shows dead native birds placed on Parliament's steps during a 1080 protest may have been bludgeoned to death. Mr Mallard has complained to… Audio
Some trees in MPI's programme actually weeds - Forest & Bird
The Ministry for Primary Industries has had to remove a dozen species from the list of trees it was pushing people to plant as part of its Billion Tree Programme after some were revealed to be pests… Audio
Kevin Hackwell: for the birds
Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage has added $81.3 million in funding to the Department of Conservation to be channelled into predator control over four years. Kevin Hackwell, chief conservation… Audio
MPI not doing enough to fight myrtle rust - Forest & Bird
The crippling leaf disease myrtle rust has been found in Department of Conservation land for the first time. It has infected Ramarama plants and also towering Rata trees in the northern part of… Audio
Editing Our Genes: Pest Control
Kim Hill talks to Josephine Johnston, Dr Andrea Byrom, Kevin Hackwell, and Jan Hania about using gene editing as a weapon against animals which are pests in New Zealand. Audio
Ruataniwha dam plan near death as council pulls support
As Hawke's Bay Regional Council expects to pulls its support for the Ruataniwha Dam project this morning, the controversial scheme is all but dead in the water. Local farmers now say they doubt it… Audio
Biosecurity not enough to stop threat to Pohutukawa
There are fears a disease wiping out forests of native trees in Hawaii could do the same to pohutukawa and rata here if biosecurity practices aren't stepped up. Jacob McSweeny reports. Audio
Taxing water - crippling the economy or long overdue?
Federated Farmers say Labour's water tax plan has the potential to cripple regional economies if cattle and crop farmers are made to pay for the water they use. Environmental groups are welcoming the… Audio
Why is DoC "neutral" on a new coal mine in a nature reserve?
Environmental groups says the Department of Conservation is being forced to take a neutral stance on projects which could damage to the environment by lumping its concern together with other… Audio
Environmental groups fear result of funding boost
Environmental groups fear extra funding to cope with growing numbers of tourists will be bad for the country's national parks. Audio
Labour's volunteer work policy comes in for criticism
Labour wants out of work beneficeries to do volunteer work but Forest and Bird is apprehensive about the proposal, saying it needs to lead to more meaningful paid work. We speak to Forest and Bird. Audio
Forest and Bird questions funding model for pest eradication
Forest and Bird advocacy manager Kevin Hackwell tells Morning Report what his organisation makes of the Government's goal to eradicate rats, stoats, possums and feral cats from New Zealand over the… Audio
Canterbury farmers on notice
The Canterbury Regional Council has put farmers on notice they have ten days to comply with laws requiring them to install water monitors. The rule came into effect in November 2014 but the council… Audio
Twenty percent of Northland Dairy farms still too dirty
The dairy industry its cleaning up its dirty ways - but some regions seem to be doing better than others. Audio
DOC warns that RMA changes may prevent it from doing its job
Department of Conservation officials have told the Conservation Minister it may not be able to carry out its statutory duty to protect endangered species or rare habitats under changes to the Resource… Audio