By Kim Vinnell
The Department of Conservation (DOC) is defending the way it trains hunters to spot the difference between pukeko and the critically endangered takahe.
Four takahe were accidentally shot dead during a pukeko cull on Motutapu Island.
Those who protect the proudly pest-free island are furious.
Farmer Rick Braddock knows every inch of it. He's had the lease on the island for more than 20 years.
So when he found it was hunters sent by DOC who'd killed the island's most precious species he was shocked.
"All of us were shocked, it's a tragedy, we've worked so hard with the ecological restoration out here that to hear of four of these birds being killed was just terrible."
The Deerstalkers' Association provided the hunters to cull pukeko, which have over-run the island and gorge on takahe eggs.
There are just 300 takahe left in the world, 21 of them were on the island. Now there are 17.
DOC says it gave the deerstalkers half a day's training before the culling began, and were given the instruction only shoot the pukeko when they're flying, because takehe can't fly.
A spokesman says DOC is carrying out an investigation and talking to the hunters involved.
Deerstalkers' Association president Bill O'Leary says he's concerned about people's perceptions of the association.
"We spend a lot of time focusing on gun safety and this particular incident doesn't do our image any good."
The Motutapu Restoration Trust is calling for new culling protocols.
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