Also in the spotlight are Toitu Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (Linz) and the Central Otago District Council.
Earlier this year the Otago Regional Council notified Linz about "exploding rabbit" numbers on Crown-owned land near Lake Dunstan.
Two areas at McNulty Inlet and the Kawarau Arm near Cromwell were non-compliant. Between June and August Linz undertook targeted control work with a contractor.
Linz head of Crown Property Sonya Wikitera said the operation was successful. Only a few of the 100 targeted burrows were found to still have rabbits after the fumigation, and nearly 100 rabbits were killed in the night operation.
"There was a noticeable reduction in rabbit numbers in both areas. Our pest control contractor is still monitoring numbers in both areas to see if future control activities are required."
Reducing the impact of rabbits would have positive conservation outcomes, she said.
Linz was not the only owner of public land to run foul of the regional council when it came to keeping rabbit numbers under control.
In August, the Central Otago District Council was notified the Lower Manorburn Dam reserve was indicative of non-compliance. Most of the reserve was at least level 4 on the Modified McLean Scale, and some of the area at level 5.
A breach of the level 3 rule was an offence under section 154N(19) of the Biosecurity Act and could lead to the regional council issuing notice to take over the land and undertake control work.
Otago Regional Council acting manager environmental implementation Libby Caldwell said the pests have been problematic in Otago since they were introduced in the mid 1800s.
Rabbit populations fluctuate throughout the year, based on many factors. Central Otago, with its warm temperatures and lack of rain was the perfect environment for them to thrive, Mrs Caldwell said.
"Rabbits are a serious threat to our biodiversity and environment."
"They ruin landscapes with rabbit holes, and cause soil erosion and degradation," she said.
Ten rabbits ate the same amount of grass as a sheep, which impacted pastoral production.
They breed year round and the main breeding season is from late winter to early summer.
Rabbits as young as 5 months old could have up to 50 young a year, Mrs Caldwell said.
To help actively manage the issue, the Regional Pest Management Plan sets out the framework for how specified pests - including rabbits - will be managed.
Under the plan, land occupiers must control rabbits to level 3 or below on the Modified McLean Scale (MMS).
