File photo. Photo: Cole Yeoman
The number of human-kea conflicts have been high in the first part of this year in South Westland, according to the Department of Conservation.
A number of initiatives are being investigated to mitigate the problems, a status report to the May West Coast Conservation Board meeting said.
Work was required within the South Westland community to "improve messaging and perceptions" about living with kea.
Flashpoints had been in the Waiatoto and at Karangarua as well as Hari Hari and the Franz Josef Glacier township and surrounds.
"Conflicts include kea damaging property, campsites and vehicles," staff said.
Several "key messages" were being suggested to help resolve issues.
These included securing artificial food sources on properties by battening down rubbish, recycling and compost bins, removing all lead from properties, and making properties "as boring as possible" for kea.
South Westland residents were encouraged to contact the department or the Kea Conservation Trust for advice.
The department was also producing an advice booklet including how to "kea proof" buildings, how to minimise damage, and how to ensure kea were not harmed by eating from inappropriate food sources.
"This month a kea was found tangled in fishing line at a campsite and later sent to the wildlife hospital for treatment.
"Work is required to improve messaging and perceptions in the South Westland community around co-existing and living with kea."
The department had also partnered with the Kea Conservation Trust and the NZ Tahr Foundation on a booklet that included a section on kea.
This included how to minimise kea damage to campsites, and how tahr hunters can contribute to kea conservation by undertaking kea surveys.
Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
