Aerial 1080 pest control operations will be carried out over 13,000ha in the Matukituki Valley this year.
The area near Mt Aspiring is among 29 high conservation value areas throughout the country where 1080 will be dropped to combat a spike in rat and stoat populations caused by the widespread seeding of beech forests.
An 11,000ha swath of the Dart Valley and its tributaries, at the head of Lake Wakatipu, is among seven more areas being monitored by the Department of Conservation (Doc) for possible 1080 operations this year.
The Makarora area at the head of Lake Wanaka (39,000ha) is being monitored for a possible aerial operation next year.
Conservation Minister Maggie Barry said plentiful beech seed fuelled rat population growth and caused stoat numbers to explode if the rodents were not controlled.
"Aerial 1080 is the most effective pest control method across large areas and difficult terrain, and our monitoring shows it’s a very successful way of protecting vulnerable species and allowing birds to produce more chicks to sustain and grow their populations."
The national "Battle for Our Birds" operation is costing $21million this year.
Other areas in the lower South Island confirmed for aerial 1080 operations include the Cleddau area, south of Milford Sound, (4700ha) and the upper and lower stretches of the Hollyford Valley (a combined 44,200ha).
