Rakitu Island... off the coast of Great Barrier Island - has become the last in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park to be declared predator free

Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage says it joins more than 40 existing pest-free islands in the area - which provide a safe haven for threatened native wildlife.

The operation to remove rats from Rakitu island was carried out during winter in 2018 - and a check with conservation dogs last week proved they had been eliminated.