Attitudes to pests and pest control methods : results from a sample survey of the NZ population in February 1991

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ATI'ITUDES

TO

PESTS

AND

PEST

CONTROL

M E T H O D S

RESULTS

FROM

A

SAMPLE SURVEY

OF

THE

NZ

POPULATION

IN FEBRUARY

1991

Ron

Sheppard

Lorna Urquhart

J

This study was commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries

in association with the Rabbit and Land Management Programme

Research Report No. 210

April 1991

Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit

PO Box 84

Lincoln University

Canterbury

New Zealand

Telephone: (64) (3) 252-811

Fax: (64)

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252-099

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Tho Agr~bus~ries~nnrl Economics Rosearch Unlt (AERU) operates frorn L~ricoln llri~vors~ty provldlng research expertise for a wlde range of otganlsatlons concerned with production, processing, d~strihiit~on, f~nance and rnarketlng

The AERU operates as a semi-commercial research agency. Research contracts are carried out for clients on a commercial basis and University research is supported by the AERU through sponsorship of postgraduate research programmes. Research clients include Government Departments, both within New Zealand and from other countries, international agencies, New Zealand companies and organisations, individuals and farmers. Research results are presented through private client reports, where this is required, and through the publication system operated by the AERU. Two publication series are supported: Research Reports and Discussion Papers.

The AERU operates as a research co-ordinating body for the Economics and Marketing Department and the Department of Farm Management and Accounting and Valuation. This means that a total staff of approximately 50 professional people is po- tentially available to work on research projects. A wide diversity of expertise is therefore available for the AERU.

The major research areas supported by the AERU include trade policy, marketing (both institutional and consumer), accounting, finance, management, agricultural economics and rural sociol- ogy. In addition to the research activities, the AERU supports conferences and seminars on topical issues and AERU staff are involved in a' wide range of professional and University related extension activities.

Founded as the Agricultural Economics Research Unit in 1962 from an annual arant orovided bv the Deoartment of Scientific and Industrial ~ e s e a r c h ('DSIR), the AERU has grown to become an independent, major source of business and economic research expertise. DSlR funding was discontinued in 1986 and from April 1987, in recognition of the development of a wider research activity in the agribusiness sector, the name of the organisation was changed to the Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit. An AERU Management Committeecomprised of the Principal, the Professors of the three associate departments, and the AERU Director and Assistant Director administers the general Unit policy.

AERU MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 1991

Professor A C Bywater, B.Sc., Ph.D.

(Professor of Farm Management)

Professor R H Juchau, B.Com., B.Ed., M.A.

(Professor of Accounting and Finance)

AERU STAFF 1991

Professor A C Zwart, B.Agr.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

(Professor of Marketing)

R L Sheppard, B.Agr.Sc. (Hons), B.B.S.

(Assistant Director, AERU)

Director

Professor AC Zwart, B.Agr.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Assistant Director

R L Sheppard, B.Agr.Sc. (Hons). B.B.S.

Research Officen

G Greer, B.Agr.Sc. (Hons) T P Grundy. B.Sc. (Hons), M.Com.

Research Officers

L. M. Urquhart. B.Com.(Ag), Dip.Com. J R Fairweather. B.Agr.Sc., B.A.. M.A., Ph.D.

Visiting Research Fellow

N C Keating, Ph.D.

Secretary

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List

of Tables

Page

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Preface

Acknowledgements

summary

Chapter

1 Introduction

1.1 Survey Method

1.2

Questionnaire Administration

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1.3 Potential Information Bias

2

1.4 Questionnaire Coding and Analysis

2

1.5 Sample Error and Bias

2

2 Results

5

2.1 Seriousness of Various Pests

5

2.1.1 Overall Seriousness

5

2.1.2 Analysis of Pest Seriousness by Age of Respondent

6

2.1.3 Analysis of Pest Seriousness by Description of Where Live10

2.1.4 knalysis of Pest Seriousness by Sex of Respondent

1 0

2.2 Attitude to Introduced Natural Enemies and Diseases

11

2.3 Wasp Problems

14

2.3.1 Current Problems and Control

14

2.3.2 Attitudes to Wasp Control Methods

17

2.3.3 Attitudes to Virus Control Method for Wasps

24

2.4 Possum Problems

28

2.4.1 Current Problems and Control

28

2.4.2 Attitudes to Possum Control Methods

32

2.4.3 Attitudes to Disease Control Method for Possums

37

2.5 Rabbit Problems

2.5.1 Current Problems and Control

2.5.2 Attitudes to Rabbit Control Methods

2.5.3 Attitudes to Myxomatosis for Rabbits

2.6 Survey Statistics

3. Conclusions

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LIST OF TABLES

Table

Page

Attitudes on Seriousness of Pests

5 Other Serious Pests

6 Age By Seriousness of Rats

7 Age By Seriousness of Termites

7

Age By Seriousness of Fruit Fly

8 Age By Seriousness of Wasps

8 Age By Seriousness of Grass Grubs

9 Age By Seriousness of Possums

9 Age By Seriousness of Rabbits

9 Where You Live By Attitude to the Seriousness of Grass Grubs

10 Respondent Sex By Attitude to the Seriousness of Flies

10 Respondent Sex By Attitude to the Seriousness of Possums

11 Is the Introduction of Diseases and Natural Enemies

a Good Pest Control Method

11 Respondent Sex By Attitude to Introduction of Diseases and Enemies

12 Age By Introduction of Enemies and Diseases

12 Where You Live By Attitude to Introduction of Disease and Enemies

12 Occupation By Attitude to Introduction of Enemies and Diseases

13 Reasons Why it is Not a Good Pest Control Measure

14

Is There a Wasp Problem Where You Live

14 Where You Live By Do You Have a Wasp Problem

15 Has the NZ Wasp Problem Changed Lately

15 Where You Live By Has the NZ Wasp Problem Changed

15 Is Enough Bqing Done to Control Wasps

16 Age By

is

Enough Done to Control Wasps

16 Where You Live By

is

Enough Done to Control Wasps

in

NZ

16 Attitudes to Wasp Control Methods

17 Respondent Sex By Attitude to Insecticide Use on Wasps

17 Respondent Sex By Attitude to Sodium Cyanide on Wasps

18 Respondent Sex By Attitude to Use of Predators for Wasps

18 Respondent Sex By Attitude to Wasp Diseases,

eg. Viruses as Form of Control

19 Age By Attitude to Use of Insecticide for Wasps

19 Age By Attitude to Use of Sodium Cyanide for Wasps

20 Age By Attitude to Use of Diseases, eg. Viruses for Wasps

20 Age By Attitude to Use of Predators for Wasps

21 Occupation By Attitude to Use of Wasp Diseases,

eg. Viruses to Control Wasps

22 Education After High School By Attitude to Wasp Diseases, eg, Viruses

23 Attitgde to Introduction of Disease and Enemies

By Attitude to Use of Wasp Disease, eg. Virus

23 Age By Have Heard of Wasp Virus

24

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Respondent Sex By Attitude to Introduction of Wasp Virus

Age By Attitude to Introduction of Wasp Virus

Occupation By Attitude to Introduction of Wasp Virus

Comments Referring to Introduction of Wasp Virus

Is There a Possum Problem Where You Live

Where You Live By Do You Have a Possum Problem Where You Live

Has the NZ Possum Problem Changed Lately

Age By Has NZ Possum Problem Changed

Where You Live By Has NZ Possum Problem Changed

Is Enough Being Done to Control Possums

Age By Is Enough Being Done About Possum Problem

Where You Live By Is Enough Being Done About the Possum Problem

Respondent Sex By Is Enough Done to Control Possums

Attitudes To Possum Control Measures

Respondent Sex By Attitude to Shooting Possums as Control Measure

Respondent Sex By Attitude to

1080

For Possum Control

Respondent Sex By Attitude to Cyanide Use for Possum Control

Respondent Sex By Attitude to Possum Viruses as Form of Control

Age By Attitude to the Use of Cyanide for Possums

Age By Attitude to Use of Diseases, eg. Viruses for Possums

Age By Attitude to Use of Predators for Possums

Where ,You Live By Attitude to Trapping Possums

Attitude to Introduction of Disease and Enemies

By Use of Possum Viruses As Form of Control

Attitude to Introduction of Possum Disease

Respondent Sex By Attitude to Introduction of Possum Disease

Age By Attitude to Introduction of Possum Disease

Attitude to Introduction of Disease and Enemies

By Attitude to Introduction of Possum Disease

Comments Referring to Introduction of Possum Disease

Is There a Rabbit Problem Where You Live

Where You Live By Do You Have a Rabbit Problem

Age By Do You Have Rabbit Problem

Has The NZ Rabbit Problem Changed Over the Last Five Years

Age By Has NZ Rabbit Problem Changed

Where You Live By Has NZ Rabbit Problem Changed

Is Enough Being Done to Control Rabbits In NZ

Age By Is Enough Being Done to Control Rabbits

Respondent Sex By Is Enough Done to Control Rabbits

Where You Live By Is Enough Being Done to Control Rabbits

Attitudes Towards Rabbit Control Measures

Respondent Sex By Attitude to Shooting Rabbits as Control Measure

Respondent Sex By Attitude to

1080

for Rabbit Control

Respondent Sex By Attitude to Gassing Rabbits for Control

Respondent Sex By Attitude to Use of Predators for Rabbits

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Where You Live

By

Attitude to Gassing Rabbits

47

Where You Live

By

Attitude to the Use of Rabbit Diseases

as Form of Control

48

Attitude to Introduction of Enemies and Diseases

By

Attitude to Use of Rabbit Disease as Form of Control

48

Are There

Any

Other Suitable Control Methods

49

Other Control Methods Considered Suitable

49

Respondent Sex

By

Other Rabbit Control Methods Considered Suitable

50

What Else Can Be Done About Rabbits

51

Respondent Sex

By

Are There

Any

Other Suitable Rabbit Controls

51

Have You Heard of Myxomatosis Before

52

Age

By

Have You Heard of Myxomatosis

52

Where You Live

By

Have You Heard of Myxomatosis

52

Occupation

By

Have You Heard of Myxomatosis

53

Education After High School

By

Have You Heard of Myxomatosis

53

How Does Myxomatosis Affect Rabbits

54

Respondent Sex

By

How Myxomatosis Affects Rabbits

55

Attitude Towards Introduction of Myxomatosis

56

Respondent Sex

By

Attitude o Introduction of Myxomatosis

56

Where You Live

By

Attitude to Introduction of Myxomatosis

56

Attitude to Introduction of Enemies and Diseases

By

Attitude to Introduction of Myxomatosis

57

Comments About Introduction of Myxomatosis

57

Any

Other Myxomatosis Comments

58

Attitude Toward of

Any

Other Rabbit Diseases

59

Respondent Sex

By

Attitude to Introduction of Other Rabbit Diseases

59

Age

By

Attitude to Introduction of Other Rabbit Diseases

59

Where You Live

By

Attitude to Introduction of Other Rabbit Diseases

60

Attitude to I~troduction

of Diseases and Enemies

By

Attitude to Introduction of Other Rabbit Diseases

60

Comments Referring to Introduction of

Any

Other Rabbit Diseases

61

Respondents Ages

61

Was

Any

Form of Education Completed After High School

62

Usual Occupation of Respondent

62

Where Do You Live?

63

Region Respondent Lives In

63

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The Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit has a programme of research which covers a wide range of topics. Included is a market research programme and a policy research activity. In the case of this research, the market research techniques which have been developed have been applied to a policy matter and information has been presented which can contribute to policy decisions.

In many cases, policy decisions are made on the basis of political activity carried out by pressure groups which apply effective lobbying pressure on politicians and policy advisors. This activity can lead to an incorrect view of public opinion being formed and policy actions being taken which are not supported by a large sector of public opinion but which reflect the opinions of particular pressure groups.

The conduct of an effective research procedure with respect to the issue in question can lead to a much better understanding of public opinion on matters of importance. Such information can then contribute to the deliberations of the decision makers and result in better decisions being made, especially where such decisions involve implications for large sectors of the population.

In the case of this research on attitudes to pests and pest control methods, valuable information on public perceptions has been gathered. This information can be used to improve the decision making on such matters as the introduction of myxomatosis for rabbit control. Such a decision has implications for a wider community than that directly affected by a rabbit problem and the views of that wider community should be recognised.

In addition to tHe current debate over the introduction of myxomatosis, this research has revealed valuable information on the general attitude of the public to the introduction of biological control mechanisms, particularly imported natural enemies and diseases of pests in New Zealand. The implications of the findings are of importance in the assessment of biological control programmes covering a wide range of issues. It should be noted that public opinion is not necessarily in support of such programmes and that scientists should be aware of the views of their work which are held by a large proportion of the population.

The Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit is pleased to be involved in this research area and is grateful to the sponsors of the research for their permission to publish this Report.

Professor A C Zwart DIRECTOR

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance received from Dr J Morgan Williams and Dr Nick Taylor who both provided valuable input to the design of the Questionnaire which was used.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Rabbit and Land Management Programme provided financial support for the study and the help of those organisations is gratefully acknowledged.

Studies of this sort are not possible without the assistance of the many New Zealand people who freely give their time to answer the questions posed by the interviewers. This assistance is respected and appreciated. While there are an increasing number of surveys being carried out for a wide range of purposes, the continued co-operation of respondents is essential for these surveys to have any meaning. We trust that the results of this survey can be used to guide the decision makers towards the best possible decisions on behalf of New Zealand and so make the time invested in answering the survey a worthwhile investment.

The sample extraction and telephone interviewing was carried out quickly and efficiently by Strategic Research Services and we are most grateful to that organisation for its competent assistance.

. Data entry was undertaken by Sue Clemes at Lincoln University who performed the task very quickly h n d efficiently. We are grateful to her for her help.

While the information presented herein is an accurate reflection of the data collected and the draft report has been considered by referees, the conclusions drawn are the responsibility of the authors and any comments or argument should be directed to us.

Ron Sheppard

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SUMMARY

A survey of 1000 adult people in New Zealand was carried out during February 1991. The intention of the survey was to ascertain the views of the respondents on the seriousness of a range of pests and their attitudes to various forms of pest control. In particular, information was sought on attitudes to wasps, possums and rabbits and the possible methods of controlling those pests.

The results of the survey indicate that a high proportion of respondents considered rabbits, possums and wasps to be very serious or serious pests while approximately half the respondents also consider fruit fly, grass gmbs, flies, termites and rats to be serious or very serious.

For many pests, there is a relationship between the age of the respondent and the attitude towards the seriousness of the pest. In general, older respondents considered the pests to be more serious than did younger respondents. A higher proportion of females considered flies to be serious or very serious pests and a higher proportion of males considered possums to be very serious.

Approximately half the respondents did

not

think that the introduction of natural enemies or diseases was a good way of controlling pests in New Zealand. This response was also related to the age and sex of the respondents with more older respondents and more females being opposed to this form of pest control. The main reason for opposition to this form of control was the danger of the "import becoming a problem".

Nearly a third of respondents indicated that they had a wasp problem where they lived with rural, town and city areas being equally represented. Nearly half the respondents thought that not enough was being done to control wasps with a higher proportion of older respondents holding this view.

The most suitable methods for controlling wasps (thought "very suitable" or "suitable" by the highest proportion of respondents) were diseases and petrol (equally suitable) with nearly 60 per cent of respondents preferring these methods. Insecticide was thought very suitable or suitable by 45 per cent of respondents. A higher proportion of males were in favour of diseases and insecticide than were females. A higher proportion of younger people were in favour of diseases than were older respondents. Over 40 per cent of those generally opposed to the use of diseases were in favour of the use of diseases on wasps.

Over 20 per cent of all respondents indicated that they thought there was a possum problem where they lived with nearly 50 per cent of rural residents indicating there was a possum problem. Over three quarters of the respondents thought that the possum problem had become worse over the last five years with a higher proportion of older people and rural dwellers thinking this. Nearly 65 per cent of respondents thought that not enough was being done to control possums with a higher proportion of older people and males thinking this.

The control method thought to be very suitable or suitable by the greatest proportion of respondents was shooting (69.2 per cent) with trapping being thought very suitable or suitable by 57.2 per cent. Diseases (49.0 per cent), 1080 (44.4 per cent) and cyanide (43.7 per cent) were the next highest rated. A higher proportion of males supported 1080, cyanide and diseases while a higher proportion of older respondents supported cyanide while a higher proportion of younger respondents supported diseases. Over 30 per cent of those who are generally opposed to diseases supported the use of diseases for possum control and 54 per cent of all respondents thought the introduction of a possum disease was a "good idea" or "OK". A higher proportion of males and younger respondents supported this.

Only 12 per cent of respondents indicated there was a rabbit problem where they live. In rural areas, the proportion rose to 27.7 per cent of respondents, 15.7 per cent'in towns and only 4.6 per cent in cities. A higher proportion of younger people thought there was a problem and nearly 90 per cent of respondents thought the NZ rabbit problem had become worse during the last five years. Only 11.2

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The control method thought very suitable or suitable by the highest proportion of respondents was "Commercial Harvesting" with 74.1 per cent indicating this. Shooting was thought very suitable or suitable by 68.3 per cent, diseases 46.2 per cent, 1080 45.3 per cent, gas 30.9 per cent and predators 20.1 per cent. A higher proportion of females favoured shooting while a higher proportion of males favoured 1080, gassing, predators and diseases. Gas was favoured by a higher proportion of older respondents. A higher proportion of rural respondents was in favour of gassing and the use of diseases.

Of those generally opposed to the use of diseases, nearly 30 per cent were in favour of the use of disease on rabbits.

Nearly 90 per cent of respondents had heard of myxomatosis with a higher proportion of older respondents having heard of it. Most respondents who were aware of the disease considered that myxomatosis caused a slow painful death to rabbits.

Nearly 50 per cent of respondents thought that the introduction of myxomatosis was a "good idea" or "OK. A higher proportion of males (60.8 per cent) were in favour than were females. There was no difference in attitude between rural, town and city dwellers. Over 30 per cent of those generally opposed to the use of diseases were in favour of the introduction of myxomatosis while 25.5 per cent of those generally in favour of diseases were against the introduction of myxomatosis.

Th2introduction of other rabbit diseases was supported by less respondents (27.5 per cent) with 49.1 per cent opposed. The remaining respondents (23.3 per cent) "don't know".

It was concluded that there is a significant perception of the seriousness of a range of pests in New Zealand and that this perception is likely to be greater the older the person concerned.

The use of the biological control method of introducing natural enemies and diseases to New Zealand was not favoured by a majority of the respondents/population. This resistance was based on- the danger of the introduced species becoming a problem in itself. However, where a specific target was identified and where this target was a pest relating directly to people, the resistance to this form of control was much less. In addition, where the type of agent was identified, eg. myxomatosis, there was more support for this type of control measure than where the proposed agent was less well known. The implications of this include the need for scientists to be very aware of the need to carry out extensive research on the possible "side effects" of introduced agents and to be aware that this issue is of real concern to NZ people.

However, in spite of there being a significant resistance to the use of introduced natural enemies and diseases, the resistance to other control measures was also significant. The concern over biological control methods must be seen in the context of the attitude to other forms of pest control which are currently being used. From this perspective, it can be seen that resistance to the use of diseases is no more than the resistance to the use of other control measures. Decisions "not to use biological control" must be seen in the context of the use of the other forms of control and the public resistance to those methods.

The general conclusion is that the public is concerned about pests and about the methods used to control them. The use of diseases is seen as an equivalent form of control to other measure which are available and diseases are supported as a control measure by approximately half the NZ public.

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The Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit (AERU), Lincoln University, was approached in mid December 1990 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries with a request to consider the development and execution of a research project on the identification of public attitudes to the use of biological control methods for pest control in New Zealand. Particular reference was to be given to the control of wasps, possums and rabbits. Following discussions, it was established that the most appropriate method was a telephone survey of 1000 adult (18 years and over) people throughout New Zealand.

1.1 Survev Method

The telephone survey method was selected for two reasons. One was the need to be able to obtain information about issues which are thought to elicit emotional responses from participants, without triggering those emotions. This particularly applied to the gathering of information about the seriousness of pests and the key issue of the potential use of biological control methods (eg. natural enemies and diseases), without the respondent being aware that later questions would concern myxomatosis, a biological control method for rabbits which is often linked with cruelty to animals. Use of a mail questionnaire would have meant that respondents were able to be aware of these $ questions prior to completing the more general questions on biological control. In addition, a mail questionnaire would have required a much longer time period than was available and would have suffered from the usual difficulties of achievement of an adequate unbiased response rate.

Therefore, the telephone survey method was selected as the most appropriate. In order to carry out this survey, a random sample of 2000 telephone numbers was selected from the New Zealand wide telephone directories. This sample was proportionately distributed over the telephone books in order to achieve a representative geographic spread of participants.

1.2 Ouestionnaire Administration

The administration of the questionnaire was subcontracted to Strategic Research Services. This organisation employed twenty three trained telephone interviewers to carry out the survey. Each interviewer was given double the number of telephone numbers they would require, assuming an interview was obtained from each number. The interviewers were instructed to call every second number on the list provided. If insufficient interviews were obtained from this list, the remaining numbers were to be used. Interviewers were not expected to "call back to numbers where an interview was not immediately obtainable, but where requested by the potential respondent, call backs were undertaken.

As the time over which the survey was to be undertaken was short, the sample was selected, once telephone contact had been made, by the interviewer requesting an interview from the "person in your household who normally lives there, is at home now, who last had a birthday and who is 18 years or older". It was acknowledged that the proviso "who is at home now" had the potential to distort the responses in favour of those people more often at home during the hours when the interviewers were calling. However, it was considered that the factor "at home or not" would not be likely to have a significant influence on the attitude to pest control methods. However, given the likelihood of more females being at home (as compared to males) it was thought possible that this sample selection method would lead to a higher proportion of females being interviewed than men. Were this to be

the case, it was acknowledged that appropriate sample weighting techniques could be used in order to remove any potential bias caused by such a sample result.

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instructed to return the first 20 completed questionnaires as soon as they were done in order to assist with the process of questionnaire coding and data entry. The interviewer notes which were used at the Briefing and the Questionnaire are included in the Appendix to this Report.

Potential Information Bias

It should be noted that during this time, there was a significant level of television and radio debate over the issue of myxomatosis. Much of this debate concerned the effect of myxomatosis on rabbits and some of the comments concerned the desirability of importing further species to New Zealand under the label of biological control. This publicity commenced during the first week of interviewing. As a result, an analysis of the early interview responses was carried out and compared with the responses obtained during and following the publicity. It was determined that there was no significant difference between the responses received.

1.4 Questionnaire Coding and Analvsis

The questionnaire responses were coded by one person

(L

Urquhart) and the data entry was carried out by Lincoln University staff.

Analysis of the data was carried out using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) package running on an IBM type AT personal computer.

1.5 Sample Error and Bias

Given the random selection of the sample of 1000 respondents from the total potential New Zealand population, as represented by those names available in the telephone directories, the estimated margin of error for the survey is plus or minus three per cent. This means that the actual population situation may differ from the sample responses by a range of six percentage points around the sample estimate with a maximum variation of plus three and minus three percentage points.

Bias may arise in a sample s-urvey through a number of ways. The most important of these is the sample selection procedure. As this sample was selected on a random basis from the population represented by the listings in the telephone directories, there is potential for bias in that the people listed in the directories may have different views from those not listed in the directories. This margin of error is expected to be very s m l l as a very high proportion of the population is included in the telephone directory listings. Any potential bias from this source is included within the margin of error referred to above.

A second source of potential bias which applies to this particular survey might occur from the actual sample selection which required the eligible person who was at home at the time of the telephone call. As referred to above, the factor of "at home" was not considered in itself to have potential for the reflection of bias. However, it was considered that bias might result from the selection of a higher proportion of female respondents (than occur in the population) through the use of this method. This hypothesis was based on the expectation that females were more likely to be opposed to methods of pest control which have been demonstrated through the media to involve some form of suffering for the pest. It was therefore thought that female respondents would be more likely to be opposed to the introduction of myxomatosis than male respondents. It was determined that should such a result occur, then the sample could be adjusted to refleet an equal weighting of males and females, should such an adjustment result in a sigdicant change to the results.

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would need to be weighted in order to bring the male and female proportions to equality (the proportion of males and females in the population is 50:50). However, such a weighting, given the proportion of males and females in the sample, would result in an alteration of the sample total response by only one percentage point for every fourteen percentage points of difference in the male and female responses. In all cases, the male and female responses do not differ by more than 14

percentage points. Therefore, as the adjustment is well within the margin of error, and in all cases is less than one percentage point, we have not presented adjusted responses. For many of the key variables, results have been presented for males and females. Where the adjusted response for the population is required, this can be calculated by taking the mean of the male and female responses.

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CHAPTER2

RESULTS

2.1 Seriousness of Various Pests

2.1.1 Overall Seriousness

Question 1 of the survey asked respondents to indicate how serious they thought some New Zealand pests are. They were asked to address this issue from the point of view of "New Zealand as a whole". The responses are given in Table 1. These results indicate that rabbits, possums and wasps are seen as the most significant pests with 77.2 per cent, 56.4 per cent and 42.2 per cent of respondents (respectively) considering that these pests are "very serious".

Attitudes on Seriousness of Pests

(% of AU Respondents)

Rats Termites Fruit Wasps Flies Grass Possum Rabbit

RY Grubs

very 8.7 14.1 17.0 42.2 14.0 8.7 56.4 77.2

Serious

Serious 33.2 31.0 40.4 38.0 36.7 34.9 33.5 16.1

Not Very 50.0 44.2 30.2 18.6 42.9 39.1 8.3 5.6

Serious

Not at ail 6.7 8.2 7.2 0.8 6.4 9.6 0.8 0.8

Serious

Don't 1.4 2 5 5.2 0.4

-

7.8 1 .O 0.3

Know

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Valid 1005 1005 1005 1005 1005 1005 1005 1005

Response

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Other Serious Pests

(% of Those Who Named Other Serious Pests)

Ants

Cockroaches

Dogs

Wild Goats

People

Fleas

Spiders

Mosquitoes

Barer

Deer

Ferrets/ Weasels

Other *

Total

Valid Responses

*

Mainly mice, also includes aphids, cats, pigs, wallabies, birds

2J.2 Analysis of Pest Seriousness by Age of Respondent

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TABLE 3

Age Bv Seriousness of Rats

(% of All Respondents)

20 and 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 Over 60

under

Very Serious

Serious

Not Very Serious

Not At All Serious 3.7 4.0 8.3 9.3 6.4 5.2

Don't Know

-

1.3 0.9 1 .O 1.4 2.6

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Valid Responses 54 149 228 204 141 229

*

significant

TABLE 4

Age Bv Seriousness of Termites

20 and 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 Over 60

under - -- -- - -

Very Serious

Serious 33.3 30.9 25.9 26.5 32.6 38.9

Not Very Serious 57.4 45.6 46.5 48.5 38.3 37.6

Not At All Serious

Don't Know

Total

Valid Responses

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TABLE 5

Age Bv Seriousness of Fruit Flv

20 and 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 Over 60

under

Very Serious

Sgaious

Not Very Serious

Not At All Serious Don't Know

Total

Valid Responses

TABLE 6

Age Bv Seriousness of Wasps

20 and 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 Over 60

under

Very Serious 16.7 36.9 36.0 53.4 41.8 48.0

Serious 44.4 34.2 41.2 30.4 44.0 38.9

Not Very Serious 38.9 27.5 21.9 14.7 12.1 12.2

Not At All Serious

-

1.3 0.9 1 .O 1.4

-

Don't Know

-

0.5 0.7 0.9

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Valid Responses 54 149 228 204 141 229

(25)

TABLE 7

Age By Seriousness of Grass Grubs

20 and 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 Over 60

under

*

Very Serious 3.7 4.7 8.8 11.8 7.1 10.5

Serious

"

Not Very Serious

Not At All Serious 22.2 12.8 8.8 8.8 6.4 7.9

Don't Know 3.7 9.4 9.2 5.4 8.5 7.9

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Valid Responses 54 149 228 204 141 229

*

significant

TABLE 8

Age Bv Seriousness of Possums (% of All Respondents)

20 and 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 Over 60

under

Very Serious 50.0 45.0 53.1 56.9 62.4 64.6

Serious 29.6 38.9 36.0 34.8 29.1 30.1

Not Very Serious 18.5 15.4 9.6 5.9 5.7 3.5

Not At All Serious 1.9

-

0.4 1.5 0.7 0.9

Don't Know

-

0.7 0.9 1 .O 2.1 0.9

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Valid Responses 54 149 228 204 141 229

*

significant

TABLE 9

Aae Bv Seriousness of Rabbits

20 and 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 Over 60

under

Very Serious

Serious

Not Very Serious

Not At All Serious 1.9 1.3 0.9 0.5 0.7 0.4

Don't Know

-

1.3

-

0.4

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Valid Responses 54 149 228 204 141 229

(26)

2.1.3 Analysis of Pest Seriousness by Description of Where Live

Respondents identified a description of where they live according to whether it is a rural, town or city location. It was considered that a relationship might exist between the general location of a

respondent's residence and the seriousness of pest problems. However, with the exception of one pest, grass grubs, there were no significant relationships between living location and the pest seriousness. Table 10 provides the analysis with respect to grass grubs. This indicates that people who live in Rural areas consider grass grub to be more serious than do Town or City dwellers..

TABLE 10

Where You Live Bv Attitude to The Seriousness of Grass Grubs (% of All Respondents)

Rural Town

City

Very Serious 10.2 9.6 7.7

serious

Not Very Serious

Not At All Serious 3.1 7.1 12.8

Don't Know 5.4 8.3 8.3

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0

Valid Responses 166 312 521

* significant

2.1.4 Analysis of Pest Seriousness by Sex of Respondent

For most of the pests considered, there was no significant difference with respect to the sex of the respondent and the seriousness of the pest. However, there was a difference with respect to flies (Table 11) and possums (Table 12) where there was a higher proportion of female respondents considering flies to be "very serious" or "serious" and a higher proportion of males considering possums to be "very serious".

TABLE 11

Respondent Sex Bv Attitude to The Seriousness of Flies

- --

Male Female

. Very Serious

Serious 31.6 40.7

Not Very Serious 48.4 38.6

Not At All Serious 7.9 5.2

Don't Know

-

Total 100.0 100.0

Valid Responses 430 573

(27)

TABLE 12

Resmndent Sex Bv Attitude to The Seriousness of Possums

Male Female

Very Serious

Serious

Not Very Serious 7.9 8.6

Not At All Serious 1.2 0.5

Don't Know 0.9 1 .O

Total 100.0 100.0

Valid Responses 430 573

*

significant

2.2 Attitude to Introduced Natural Enemies and Diseases

Question 2 asked respondents if they thought that a good way of controlling pests in New Zealand was to introduce natural enemies or diseases to New Zealand. This question was designed to identify the attitude of the New Zealand public to these forms of pest control, i.e. the use of biological control methods for pest control. Table 13 provides the results for all respondents. Half of the respondents (50.8 per cent) indicated that they did not think this was a good method.

TABLE 13

Is The Introduction of Diseases & Natural Enemies

a

Good Pest Control Method

Yes

No

Don't Know

Total

Valid Responses

Further analysis of the respondents with respect to their age, sex, where they live and occupation cross tabulated with their attitude to this pest control method was carried out. The analyses are presented

(28)

TABLE 14

Respondent Sex Bv Attitude to Introduction of Diseases & Enemies (% of All Respondents)

Male Female

Yes

No

Don't Know

Total

Valid Responses

*

significant

TABLE 15

Age BY Attitude to Introduction of Enemies and Diseases

- -

20 and 21-30 3 1-40 41-50 51-60 Over 60 under

Yes 45.3 48.6 47.4 39.4 32.6 33.2

No 49.1 44.6 44.3 52.2 56.0 57.2

Don't Know 5.7 6.8 8.3 8.4 11.3 9.6

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Valid Responses 53 148 228 203 141 229

--

*

significant

Where You Live

Bv

Attitude to Introduction of Disease and Enemies

Rural Town city

Yes

No

Don't

Know

Total

(29)

TABLE 17

Occupation By Attitude to Introduction of Enemies and Diseases

Yes No Don't Total Valid

Know Response

Retired 30.2 58.1 11.7 100.0 179

Clerical 35.8 54.3 9.9 100.0 81

Service 41.2 50.0 8.8 100.0 68

Housewife 31.5 59.1 9.4 100.0 127

Technical/ Professional 40.1 49.7 10.2 100.0 197

Production/ Labour 46.0 51.3 2.7 100.0 113

Farmer 51.4 43.2 5.4 100.0 37

Sales

Agriculture

Administration / Managerial

Student

Unemployed

Sickness Beneficiary

Self Employed

*

significant

(30)

TABLE 18

Reasons Whv It Is Not A Good Pest Control Measure (% of Those Who Felt It Was Not A Good Measure)

Import Becomes Problem 66.1

Need

To Do Research 11.2

Dangerous To Environment 7.4

Don't Know Consequences 13.9

Introduced Enough Now

Cruel Method

Bangerous/Alters

Other

Total 119.1

Valid Responses 496

2.3 Wasp Problems

2.3,l Current Problems and Control

The second part of the Questionnaire dealt with the problems being caused by wasps. Respondents were asked a set of questions on the wasp problem (which were repeated for possums and rabbits in later sections).

Table 19 indicates that 32.5 per cent of the respondents have a wasp problem where they live. Table 20 indicates that there is no significant difference between rural, town and city dwellers with respect to the recognition of a wasp problem. There was also no significant relationship between the respondent age and the recognition of a wasp problem where they live.

TABLE 19

Is There a Wasp Problem Where You Live

-

Yes

No

Don't Know

Total

(31)

TABLE 20

Where You Live Bv Do You Have a Wasv Problem (% of

All

Respondents)

Rural T o m City

Yes

No

Don't Know

Total

Valid Responses

Table 21 indicates that 77.7 per cent of respondents consider that the NZ wasp problem has become worse over the last five years. Again, there is no significant difference between rural, town and city dwellers with respect to this attitude (Table 22); nor was there any relationship with respondent age.

TABLE 21

m e

NZ

Wasp Problem Changed Latelv

Become Worse

The Same

Become Less

Don't Know

Total

Valid Reswnses

TABLE 22

Where You Wvt:

Bv

Has NZ Wasv Problem Changed

Rural Town City

Become Worse

The Same

Become Less

Don't Know

Total

(32)

Table 23 indicates that 45.8 per cent of the respondents think that not enough is being done to control wasps in New Zealand while only 21.3 per cent think enough is being done. A large proportion (32.9 per cent) "don't know" if enough is being done. There was a significant relationship between the age of the respondent and the attitude to whether enough is being done to control wasps (Table 24) with a higher proportion of older people thinking that not enough is being done.

TABLE 23

Is Enough Being Done To Control Wasps

(% of All Respondents) Yes

No

Don't Know

Total

Valid Responses

TABLE 24

Age BY Is Enough Done to Control Wasps (% of All Respondents)

20 and 21-30 3140 41-50 51-60 Over 60 under

Yes 29.6 22.8 21.9 22.5 17.1 19.2 No 44.4 40.3 39.9 49.5 57.9 45.0

Don't Know 25.9 36.9 38.2 27.9 25.0 35.8

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Valid Responses 54 149 228 204 140 229

*

significant

There was no significant relationship between the dwelling location and the attitude to whether enough is being done to control wasps (Table 25); nor was there any relationship with respondent sex.

TABLE 25

Where You Live By Is Enough Done to Control Wasps in NZ

Rwd %wn City

Yes

No

Don't Know

Total

(33)

2.3.2 Attitudes to Wasp Control Methods

Respondents were asked to indicate whether they thought a range of nominated wasp control methods were "very suitable", "suitable", "unsuitable" or "very unsuitable". Table 26 lists the methods that were nominated in the questionnaire and the attitudes of the respondents to those methods. "Petrol" and "Disease, eg virus" were seen as the most suitable methods (57.5 per cent and 57.7 per cent of respondents finding these methods either very suitable or suitable respectively) (Table 26). Cyanide and predators were considered least suitable, although a large proportion of respondents (24.4 per cent) "don't know" about cyanide.

TABLE 26

Attitudes to Wasp Control Methods

Insecticide Petrol Cyanide Disease Predator

very 6.9 11.1 6.4 18.4 7.9

Suitable

'@ Suitable 38.1 46.4 21.7 39.3 27.1

Cumulative 45.0 57.5 28.1 57.7 35.0

Percent

Unsuitable 32.8 30.1 34.2 20.8 35.4

Very 7.8 7.6 13.2 14.0 22.5

Unsuitable

Don't Know

Valid 1Op5 1004 1004 1005 1004

Responses

Attitudes to the use of the various control methods differed according to the sex of the respondent. Tables 27 to 30 demonstrate the responses by males and females with respect to the use of the control methods where there was a significant difference between the sexes. A higher proportion of females find insecticide, sodium cyanide, predator and disease use to be unsuitable.

TABLE 27

Respondent Sex Bv Attitude to Insecticide Use on Wasps

Male Female

Very Suitable

Suitable 42.8 34.6

Unsuitable 28.6 36.1

Very Unsuitable 6.3 8.9

Don't Know 12.6 15.7

Total 100.0 100.0

(34)

TABLE 28

Respondent Sex Bv Attitude to Sodium Cyanide Use on Wasvs (% of All Respondents)

Male Female

Very Suitable

Suitable

Unsuitable

Very Unsuitable

Don't Know

Total

Valid Responses

*

significant

TABLE 29

Resvondent Sex BY Attitude to Use of Predators for Wasvs

Male Female

Very Suitable 9.8 6.5

Suitable 30.8 24.4

Unsuitable 35.0 35.7

Don't Know 5.3 8.6

Total 100.0 100.0

Valid Responses 429 573

(35)

TABLE 30

Respondent Sex Bv Attitude to Wasp Diseases, eg. Viruses as Form of Control

Male Female

Very Suitable

Suitable

Unsuitable 203 21.1

Very Unsuitable 10.2 16.8

Don't Know 5.6 8.9

Total 100.0 100.0

Valid Responses 430 573

%

*

Significant

Respondents also differed in their attitude to the control methods suggested according to the age of the respondent. Table 31 demonstrates the difference in attitude with respect to insecticide use. There is a decline in the proportion of respondents indicating that insecticide is suitable as age increases as well as a decline in the proportion indicating the method is unsuitable. However, the proportion of respondents who "don't know" increases as age increases.

TABLE 31

Age Bv Attitude to Use

of

Insecticide for Wasps

20 and 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 Over 60

under

Very Suitable 9.3 3.4 6.6 8.8 9.9 5.2

Suitable 44.4 43.6 36.4 35.8 39.0 36.2

Unsuitable 31.5 33.6 33.8 35.3 33.3 29.3

Very Unsuitable 7.4 10.7 9.2 9.3 6.4 3.9

Don't Know 7.4 8.7 14.0 10.8 11.3 25.3

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Valid Responses 54 149 228 204 141 229

*

significant

(36)

TABLE 32

Age Bv Attitude to Use of Sodium Cvanide for Wasps

20 and 21-30 3140 41-50 51-60 Over 60

under

Very Suitable 5.6 1.3 6.1 5.4 10.7 8.3

Suitable 20.4 24.8 17.1 18.1 21 -4 27.9

Unsuitable 35.2 37.6 33.8 39.7 32.8 28.4

Very Unsuitable 27.8 18.1 11.4 10.8 12.1 11.4

Don't Know 11.1 18.1 31.6 26.0 22.8 24.0

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Vqlid Responses 54 149 228 204 140 229

- - -

* significant

The suitability of the use of diseases, eg. viruses, for wasps is considered high amongst younger respondents while the proportion of respondents considering the method to be unsuitable or very unsuitable increases with the age of the respondent (Table 33). The proportion of respondents who "don't know" also increases with respondent age. A similar response is recorded for the relationship between age and the use of predators as a wasp control method (Table 34).

TABLE 33

Age BY Attitude to Use of Diseases, ep. Viruses for Wasps

20 and 21-30 3140 41-50 51-60 Over 60

under

Very Suitable 24.1 24.8 22.8 18.6 12.8 11.8

Suitable 55.6 39.6 43.4 33.8 36.2 38.0

Unsuitable 9.3 18.8 14.9 23.0 20.6 28.8

Very Unsuitable 9.3 11.4 11.4 18.6 21.3 10.9

Don't Know 1.9 5.4 7.5 5.9 9.2 10.5

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Valid Responses 54 149 228 204 141 229

(37)

TABLE 34

Age Bv Attitude to Use of Predators for Wasps (% of All Respondents)

20 and 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 Over 60 under

Very Suitable 16.7 8.1 11.8 6.4 6.4 3.9

Suitable 22.2 32.9 23.7 30.9 24.3 26.2

Unsuitable 42.6 38.3 39.0 29.4 32.9 34.9

Very Unsuitable 14.8 18.1 19.3 27.5 28.6 22.3

Don't Know 3.7 2.7 6.1 5.9 7.9 12.7

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Valid Responses 54 149 228 204 141 229

*

significant

(38)

TABLE 35

Occupation Bv Attitude to Use of Wasp Diseases, ep. Viruses to Control Wasps

Very Suitable Un- Very Don't Total Valid

Suitable suitable Unsuitable Know Resp

Retired

Clerical

Service

Housewife

Technical/ Professional

1;rbductionl Labour

Farmer

Sales

Agriculture

Admin/ Managerial

Student

Un- employed

Sickness Beneficiary

Self Employed

*

Significant

(39)

TABLE 36

Education After High School Bv Attitude to Wasp Diseases, eg. Viruses

Yes No Don't Know

Very Suitable 22.9 14.9

-

Suitable 34.9 43.0 100.0

Unsuitable 20.2 21.5

-

Don't Know 6.9 7.9

-

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0

Valid Responses 436 558 1

"

Significant

An analysis of the relationship between the respondents' attitude to the use of imported natural enemies and diseases with respect to their attitude to the use of a disease, eg. virus for wasp control was camed out. Table 37 reports a close relationship between the two sets of responses with a high proportion of those respondents who are in favour of disease and enemy control methods finding the wasp disease to be very suitable or suitable. Also, a high proportion of those who are generally opposed to such methods find the wasp virus to be unsuitable or very unsuitable. However, a significant proportion of those who are generally opposed find a wasp disease to be very suitable or suitable (9.4 per cent and 32.6 per cent respectively) reflecting a readiness to accept such control methods in particular circumstances. A high proportion of those who "don't know" where they stand on the use of natural enemies and diseases were in favour of using a disease for wasp control (19.5

per cent finding it very suitable and 36.8 per cent finding in suitable).

TABLE 37

Attitude to Introduction of Disease & Enemies

By Attitude to Use of Wasp Disease, en. Virus

In Favour of Introduced Diseases?

Yes Don't Know

Wasp Disease, ep. Virus:

Very Suitable

Suitable

Unsuitable

Very Unsuitable

Don't Know 5.4 6.7 21.9

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0

Valid Responses 406 509 87

(40)

2.3.3 Attitudes to Virus Control Method for Wasps

Respondents were told that "a virus disease has recently been introduced to New Zealand to help to control wasps". The respondents were then asked if they had heard of this before. Only 30.0 per cent of respondents had heard of this introduction. There was a significant difference between age groups with respect to this knowledge. A much higher proportion of older people had heard of the virus than had younger people. The most significant group was the 41 to 50 years age group with 42.2 per cent having heard of the virus (Table 38).

TABLE 38

Age Bv Have Heard of Wasp Virus

20 years or 21-30 3140 41-50 51-60 Over 60 less

Yes 14.8 18.1 26.8 42.2 32.6 32.3

No 85.2 81.9 73.2 57.8 67.4 67.7

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Valid Responses 54 149 228 204 141 229

*

significant

There was no difference between respondents with respect to where they live and their knowledge of the wasp virus.

All respondents were asked "which of the following best describes how you feel about introducing

(41)

TABLE 39

Attitude To Introduction of Wasp Virus

(% of All Respondents)

Good Idea

OK

Cumulative Percent Opposed

Don't Know Don't Care Total

Valid Responses

(42)

TABLE 40

Respondent Sex

Bv

Attitude to Introduction of Wasv Virus

Male Female

Good Idea

OK

opposed Don't Know

Don't Care

Total

Valid Responses

1

*

significant

Age was also a significant factor with respect to the attitude to the introduction of viruses to control wasps. As respondent age increases, the proportion of respondents opposed to the introduction of the virus grows with'20.4 per cent of 20 years and under respondents opposed and 41.9 per cent of over 60 years respondents opposed (Table 41).

TABLE 41

Ape BY Attitude to Introduction of Wasv Virus (% of All Respondents)

J

20 and 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 Over 60 under

Good Idea 35.2 34.2 32.9 29.9 27.0 23.8

OK

40.7 31.5 31.6 25.0 20.6 21.6

% ' O s e d 20.4 24.2 28.1 35.8 41.1 41.9

Don't Know 3.7 10.1 7 5 9.3 11.3 12.3

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Valid Responses 54 149 228 204 141 229

'

*

significant

(43)

TABLE 42

Occuvation Bv Attitude to Introduction of Wasp Virus

Good OK opposed Don't Don't Total Valid

Idea Know Care Resp

Retired 23.0 20.2 43.3 13.5

-

100.0 178

Clerical 30.9 27.2 33.3 8.6

-

100.0 81

Service 27.9 22.1 44.1 5.9

-

100.0 68

Housewife 27.6 21.3 , 36.2 15.0

-

100.0 127

Technical/ 28.9 32.0 29.4 9.6

-

100.0 197

Professional

Production/ 32.7 27.4 31.9 8.0

-

100.0 113

Labour

'ur

Farmer 43.2 24.3 27.0 5.4

-

100.0 37

Sales 26.7 30.0 35.0 8.3

-

100.0 60

Agriculture 33.3 30.0 26.7 6.7 3.3 100.0 30

Administration 40.5 24.3 29.7 5.4

-

100.0 37

/ Managerial

Student 40.5 43.2 13.5 2.7

-

100.0 37

Unemployed 23.5 47.1 23.5 5.9

-

100.0 17

Sickness .

-

33.3 66.7

-

100.0 3

Beneficiary

Self Employed 50.0 37.5 12.5

-

100.0 8

*

significant

(44)

TABLE 43

Comments Referring to Introduction of Wasp Virus (% of Those Who Made Comments)

Need For Good Research

If Only Affects Wasps

Not Well Informed

Needs To Be Well Controlled

Dangerous/Mutations Occur

Used

As Last Option

What Are Other Effects

No More Diseases Introduced

0 b e r

Total

Valid Resuonses

2A Possum Problems

2.4.1 Current Problems and Control

Respondents were asked if they had a problem with possums where they live. The results are given

in Table 44. Only 23.4 per cent of respondents indicated they had a problem with possums.

TABLE 44

Is There A Possum Problem Where You Live

(% of A.ll Resmndents) Yes

No

Don't Know

Total

Valid Responses

(45)

TABLE 44A

Where You Live Bv Do You Have a Possum Problem Where You Live

Rural Town City

Yes

No

Don't Know

Total

Valid Responses

*

significant

All respondents were asked if they thought the possum problem had "become worse, is much the @same or become less over the last five years". A high proportion of respondents (76.) per cent)

thought the problem had become worse (Table 45).

TABLE 45

Has The NZ Possum Problem Changed Latelv

Become Worse

The Same

Become Less

Don't Know

Total

(46)

TABLE 46

Age BY Has NZ Possum Problem Changed

(% of All Respondents)

20 and 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 Over 60

under

Become Worse 64.8 63.8 70.2 80.4 77.3 87.8

The Same 18.5 26.2 18.9 10.3 12.1 4.8

Become Less 7.4 1.3 2.6 2.5 2.1 0.4

Don't Know 9.3 8.7 8.3 6.9 8.5 1.6

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Valid Responses

f

* significant

A higher proportion of rural living respondents thought the problem had worsened than did respondents in the t o m or cities (Table 47).

TABLE 47

Where You Live By Has NZ Possum Problem Changed

(% of All Respondents)

-- -

-Rural Town City

Become Worse

The Same

Become Less 1.3 2.8 1.9

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0

Valid Responses 166 312 521

*

significant

Respondents were asked to indicate if they thought enough was being done to control possums in New Zealand. The largest group (64.6 per cent) thought that not enough was being done (Table 48).

(47)

TABLE 48

Is Enough Being Done To Control Possums (% of All Respondents)

Yes 17.0

No 64.6

Don't Know 18.5

Total 100.0

TABLE 49

Age Bv Is Enough Being Done About Possum Problem (% of All Respondents)