A ban on dogs on Stewart Island is unlikely, as is a ban on visiting dogs, despite two kiwi being killed last year by out-of-control canines.
The Southland District Council has put its weight behind a campaign to stop dogs attacking native birds on the island by offering financial support of $300, visiting dog owners, running education programmes and working with the Department of Conservation on better signage around dog control and responsibility.
But it will not ban dogs from the island at this stage.
SDC environmental health manager Michael Sarfaiti said residents and Doc staff voiced concern about kiwi and other native birds being attacked, late last year.
"The ... rule for all dogs is that they must be contained on their property or be under control at all times,'' Mr Sarfaiti said.
"There are some areas [on the island] where dogs are prohibited. Kiwi are a huge part of New Zealand's identity and their presence on Stewart Island is one of our district's greatest treasures.''
Most of the $300 would be used for a kiwi avoidance training programme for dogs, run by the Stewart Island Community and Environment Trust.
The programme teaches dogs to ignore a kiwi instead of attacking it.
The SDC would also discount dog registration fees for "responsible ownership'', Mr Sarfaiti said.
It would not be introducing DNA testing on dead wildlife, which could prove a particular dog was at the scene, but not specifically whether the dog had killed a bird.
Doc senior ranger Dale Chittenden, of Stewart Island, said the department wanted to focus on responsible dog ownership.
"If people are responsible dog owners, we're not going to have an issue,'' he said.
"We've got one or two species there [on Stewart Island] that are just there for the taking.''
Mr Chittenden said Doc was concerned about visitors bringing dogs on to the island.
"We've just got to be extra-cautious as there's just so much damage they can do.''
SDC Stewart Island ward member Councillor Bruce Ford said there was nothing "extreme'' about the situation.
"Our people are very careful about dogs,'' Mr Ford said.
"Dogs are pretty good here. It's just part of the ongoing education.''
In 2014, four blue penguins were killed in dog attacks on Stewart Island.
Fifty-nine dogs are registered on the island, which is home to about 30,000 kiwi.
