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Management programme
Site-led (Hūnua Ranges Pest Management Area)
Objective
Provide advice and information on feral goat control (Waikato Regional Council) and reduce their impacts within the Hūnua Ranges Pest Management Area (Auckland Council)
Impacts
Economic, biodiversity, soil resources

Goats (Capra hircus) were introduced to New Zealand in the 1770s. They were first liberated as a food source and to clear weeds on developing land, and later to provide fibre for commercial industries. Goats were easily domesticated, and as a result were moved throughout the country as land was cleared for farming and settlement. Populations of feral goats have largely been a result of escapees from farms and deliberate releases. They occupy a wide range of habitats from the coast to upland areas, living in introduced and native grasslands, scrub and forest.

Wild goats

What do they look like?

Male goats stand around 70cm high at the shoulder and can grow to 1.5m in length, weighing between 50-60kg. Adult females are considerably smaller. Both sexes may have coats of white, black, brown or a combination of these, and have horns. Male goats have chin beards and a pungent smell. Both sexes have a flat tail that is bare on the underside.

Why are they a pest?

Unlike domestic goats, feral goats don't have any identification or branding, and are not contained.

Feral (used with the same meaning as ‘wild’ under the Wild Animal Control Act 1977) goats are browsers rather than grazers. They cause considerable damage to understorey vegetation that is within reach, up to 2m above the ground. They also damage young trees in exotic forests, and shrubs and trees in soil-conservation, riparian and restoration planting. The effect of goats destroying undergrowth through browsing and trampling, coupled with the effects of possums browse in the canopy, results in significant and often permanent damage to native vegetation; regeneration may be halted and palatable species completely lost from areas.

Goats are agile animals, able to exploit steep and rocky hill slopes and bluff areas unsuitable to other animals. The loss of vegetation in these areas can lead to increased soil erosion. Goats were recognised as a threat to New Zealand’s native vegetation from the 1890s and were identified as a major pest in the 1930s.

Where can you find them?

Feral goats are widespread throughout the Waikato region. Populations are generally highest on reverting farmland on steep hill country, but they are also found in exotic and indigenous forests, scrub and shrublands.

They are hardy animals and will adapt to most environmental conditions. Their characteristic habitat is forest or scrub covered hill slopes, but they will move to grasslands where the opportunity arises.

Responsibility for control

The Department of Conservation (DOC) has the primary responsibility for goat management under the Wild Animal Control Act 1977. Current government policy is to control goats in areas of highest conservation priority.

The council works in partnership with DOC to improve the management of feral goats in the Waikato region, particularly to protect biodiversity values of areas of ecological significance.

DOC has prioritised goat control in high values areas in the Waikato region, including in parts of the Coromandel Peninsula, on Mt Pirongia, in Whareorino, northern Pureora and Kaimai Range.

A constant problem with goat management is their dual identity as both a resource and a pest.

Auckland Council is responsible for a site-led pest management programme within the Hūnua Ranges Pest Management Area.

In relation to feral goats within this area:

  • no person shall release from containment any goat in any part of the Hūnua Ranges Pest Management Area (rule HŪNUA-6 of the Waikato Regional Pest Management Plan 2022-2032).

Hūnua Ranges Pest Management Area

 

 

Neutral

How can I control them?

One of the best methods of control for private occupiers is shooting. Every person shooting must either hold a firearms licence or be under supervision of a person who holds a firearms licence and is over 20 years of age. You should inform your neighbours where and when you intend to shoot. This may be an opportunity to co-ordinate your efforts with neighbours.

 

More information