Auckland Council is hoping to completely rid an inhabited island of pests, within two years

Kawau Island is home to the region's entire population of at least 2000 wallabies, along with other common pests like possums.

About 60 people also live there, making it one of the largest ambitious pest eradication projects on an inhabited island in New Zealand.

Project Lead Lisa Tolich says the unique undertaking could pave the way for pest control throughout the country.

She says, if successful, it would restore forests and the population of native species on Kawau, and neighbouring i slands.