DoC workers shot at and threatened: 'It's disturbing'

3:12 pm on 21 December 2017

Department of Conservation staff are facing increasingly serious acts of intimidation on the job including death threats.

A bait bucket being refilled during an aerial 1080 operation in the Tongariro Conservation Area

An aerial 1080 drop in the Tongariro Conservation Area. Photo: Department of Conservation

Figures released under the Official Information Act detail 111 reported threats, intimidation and shots fired at conservation staff since 2006, when the department started recording incidents.

Since 2014, the seriousness of the incidents increased. Vehicles have had wheel nuts removed and police are investigating a reported threat to shoot down a helicopter.

Speaking to Nine to Noon, interim secretary of the Amalgamated Workers Union Wayne McLaughlan said intimidation and threats happened whenever a 1080 poison drop went ahead.

"That's when there's a lot of intimidation and probably threats and verbal abuse towards some of our DoC members ... I think that's probably attributed to some of the shooters, and what have you, see that 1080 drop affecting their food supply. They make no secret of that."

In one incident, a DoC worker was driving a vehicle when a wheel fell off and it emerged the wheelnuts were loose.

"Of course it's disturbing.

"Any threats to DoC workers or via their vehicles have to be taken very seriously. In those cases I dare say the Department of Conservation treats those very seriously too.

"There is a concern from the union especially where there's threats on people's lives and on Department of Conservation vehicles by removing wheelnuts. It's just ludicrous. It's stupid."

Other reported threats included abuse of visitors to campsites, and the nature of the work - small teams often in the backcountry - left staff potentially exposed.

"A lot of the backcountry work is undertaken in teams depending on the workload but then again a lot of them work by themselves. That is of concern where we have these threats of violence."

He said most of the incidents occurred around the 1080 drops, or planned drops. He said he was not sure whether staff were trained for dealing with weapon threats.

"I have told all my people not to inflame the situation.

"But hopefully with the new government we will see an increase in the funding and possibly we can see some more workers employed."

DoC said it was checking all vehicles and tightening security following a surge in threats and attacks against staff.

Director-General Lou Sanson said he was very concerned.

"Every incident where staff are threatened is one incident too many, and I think this shows you what it is like to be managing land in New Zealand, and some of the issues our rangers face every day. I have zero tolerance for it and every incident goes straight to the police."

Mr Sanson said following three incidents this year in which DoC vehicles were tampered with, he had ordered a check of all vehicles, tighter security at offices and an audit of health and safety.

He said it was not a funding issue and most rangers already worked in pairs for safety.