Interviews with New Zealand community stakeholders regarding acceptability of current or potential pest eradication technologies

Abstract

The exploratory study aimed to understand the range of community responses to three pest eradication technologies proposed for use in New Zealand and to examine community perceptions of past incursion responses, with the aim of improving future responses. Qualitative techniques were used to elicit information from a small group of people selected from the general public, the Department of Conservation and three government councils. Participants were fairly trusting of the basic information provided to them about the three technologies, and as a result were generally accepting of aerial spraying of pheromones and sterile insect technology. However, the use of aerial sprays presented some concerns. More in-depth information, the manner in which it was presented, and how the community was be included in the decision-making process were likely to be the significant influences in predicting the public response to eradication attempts in the future. Recommendations for future research are discussed.

Keywords:

• aerial spraying
• public
• government agencies
• mating disruption
• acceptability

Acknowledgements

This work was funded by New Zealand's Foundation of Research, Science and Technology, through the Better Border Biosecurity (B3) Programme.

Notes

1. It is important to emphasize the fact that no attempt was made at this stage to determine prevalence of opinion, or to suggest that these responses were representative of the community at large.