A dead possum has been found on Aotea / Great Barrier Island - home to many protected species including pāteke and tāiko.
Great Barrier Island Photo: RNZ/Carol Stiles
It is the first time the pest has been found on the possum-free island since 2016.
Department of Conservation operations manager Kirsty Prior said it was found on the road at Whangaparapara last month by a local.
The discovery would be taken very seriously, she said.
"Possums have never been established on Aotea / Great Barrier Island and as a significant ecological pest in New Zealand, it is important that we ensure they are not able to set up home," DOC Operations Manager Kirsty Prior said.
"The necropsy, completed by Massey University, indicated the possum had died from gunshot wounds and we think it is unlikely that a local resident would shoot a possum and leave it unreported on the road. These kinds of incidences are usually associated with deliberate mischief or washing up from a distant site."
There is no information to suggest there are other possum on the island and no further possum signs such as droppings, browse or scratch marks have been found, Prior said.
"Great Barrier Island is home to many protected species such as tāiko/black petrel, brown teal/pāteke, and other endemic species such as kakariki/red crowned parakeet and miromiro/tomtit.
"Any new establishment of a pest or predator would have a significant impact on the wildlife on the island, and mana whenua, the local community, DOC and Auckland Council are committed to ensuring we prevent this."
Anyone who sees an unwanted pest on Aotea is encouraged to call 0800 DOC HOT.
