An initial public engagement phase on the next Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) for Auckland will start later this year, expected to be in November.

Following the Biosecurity Act, Parliament has vested rules and powers to coordinate pest management.

The RPMP guides all our pest control programmes, identifying threats to our economy, natural biodiversity, health and cultural identity.​

The RPMP will last for 10 years once commenced unless otherwise declared by Auckland Council the RPMP has achieved its objectives.

While the current plan won’t lapse until 2030, Auckland Council’s rural advisory panel was told this month that the process could be lengthy, so the council was starting work early.

Biosecurity principal advisor Dr Imogen Bassett said the upcoming engagement would target specific issues, with broader consultations taking place further down the line.

This plan aims to minimise harm to a range of items, such as endangered species, water quality, human health, and Māori culture.

The existing plan covers more than 300 pest (and pathogen) species.

This includes mammals, reptiles, kauri dieback disease, wasps and marine pests.

However, several new pests, such as freshwater gold clam have emerged since the current plan was drafted.

Bassett said Auckland’s changing climate, and evolving community perspectives, were altering patterns of risk and social views on some existing pests.