The gannet colony at Muriwai.
Photo: Kennedy Warne
The dead tākapu were discovered last month after Auckland emerged from its alert level three lockdown.
Auckland Council principal ranger regional parks Stephen Bell said testing and x-rays show the gannets were shot with pellets, most likely from an air rifle.
Some were shot multiple times, he said.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) and police are investigating.
CCTV footage from the area in the days leading up to the discovery is being provided to the investigation teams, Bell said. Volunteers from within the community have spent countless hours protecting the birds from introduced predators and we never would have seen the need to protect them from people, Bell said.
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Dylan van Winkel/Supplied
The threatened Muriwai gecko has its home in the dunes at the beach. Concerns have also been raised about vehicles damaging the sand dunes, which are home to the rare Muriwai gecko. People have also lodged complaints with the council about drivers failure to stick to speed limits, crashes, and abandoned wrecks, the document said.
Auckland Council/Supplied
Satellite images show some of the damage done to the dunes by vehicles at Muriwai Beach since the early 2000s. Rodney Local Board chairman Phelan Pirrie said at the time the decision was about safety and the risk of fire.
Shifting sands see historic Mangawhai-built schooner returned to the town
5 Apr, 2021 09:54 PM
4 minutes to read
The Daring recovery team in action at Muriwai
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University of Rhode Island associate professor Dr Bridget Buxton visits the globally significant Daring with Mangawhai Daring Trust s Larry Paul
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By Susan Botting
The historic wreck of a more than century-old Mangawhai-built schooner will soon return to the coastal town. Mangawhai has a long history and this ship is a part of that, Anna Curnow, Kaipara Deputy Mayor said of the return of the Daring.