A helicopter used for an aerial 1080 operation in Northland had its fuel tanks sabotaged, allowing 2000 litres of aviation fuel to drain into the earth. The helicopter had been contracted by the Department of Conservation to carry out a 1080 drop in the Puhipuhi hills north of Whangarei in September. Forest and Bird says the native forest had been badly damaged by pests, with very low bird numbers. Dean Baigent-Mercer is Forest and Bird's Northland conservation advocate.