The Conservation Minister is visiting sub-antarctic islands to see what a predator-free New Zealand would look like. <\/p>\n
Sandy Bay on Enderby Island, in the Auckland Islands group (file) Photo: RNZ \/ Alison Ballance <\/p>\n
The navy patrol ship Otago has just left Bluff on a four-day trip to the Auckland Islands after waiting overnight for the minister, Maggie Barry, who was delayed by fog. <\/p>\n
The Auckland Islands are the main breeding colony for endangered New Zealand sea lions and some albatrosses, and are largely free of mammalian pests. <\/p>\n
The government has set a target of the country becoming predator-free by 2050. <\/p>\n
Ms Barry said the trip would help towards that goal. <\/p>\n
\"I want to see first-hand what New Zealand will look like when the predators are gone, and that's what we'll see on some of these islands. <\/p>\n
\"The bird life and the capacity for nature to heal itself is what really will resonate with me.\" <\/p>\n
Minister of Conservation Maggie Barry aboard the HMNZS Otago, ready to leave for the Auckland Islands. Photo: RNZ \/ Ian Telfer <\/p>\n
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Conservation Minister heads to Auckland Islands - Radio New Zealand<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Conservation Minister is visiting sub-antarctic islands to see what a predator-free New Zealand would look like. Sandy Bay on Enderby Island, in the Auckland Islands group (file) Photo: RNZ \/ Alison Ballance The navy patrol ship Otago has just left Bluff on a four-day trip to the Auckland Islands after waiting overnight for the minister, Maggie Barry, who was delayed by fog Continue reading