The Department of Conservation (DOC) is so concerned about threats of violence against staff that it has started taking a record of incidents.
Most of the threatening behaviour is related to 1080, and some on the frontline say they've had enough.
One DOC contractor, Blandy Witehira, said a good day for him is going out into the bush and finding no signs of rats or possums.
"I like to see what we call the mauri of the ngahere - the lifeforce of the forest - breathing again," Mr Witehira said.
However, his work to get Northland hapu to support a recent 1080 drop at Cape Brett and the Russell State Forest has made him a target for protesters.
"What I've been told is that I need to be eliminated."
DOC said the last three months have seen a spike in harassment and threats, both in real life and online.
DOC director-general Lou Sanson said, "Last year, we had wheels being slashed, tyres being unbolted, [and] rocks through some of our windows".
DOC is linking the escalation of threats to the recent 1080 hikoi to Parliament.
"Let it be said - any serious threats are going straight to the police," Mr Sanson said.
An east coast ranger is currently on leave due to persistent violent threats connected to 1080.
And last week, Mr Witehira claimed he was threatened by a knife-wielding anti-1080 activist in the Bay of Islands.
"My partner, at the moment, is back in Columbia, her home country. She cries ‘cause she worries about me and my dog," Mr Witehira said.
Police said they are actively investigating the threats.
However, Mr Witehira said he will not be letting up on 1080 advocacy because it works.
"You can bring back the wildlife, but you can't bring back trees that are 12-1300 years old - that's what's happening in the forests in the north. Wake up."
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