Speaker lays complaint after kererū left at Parliament appears to be 'killed by bludgeoning'

The Speaker has laid a formal complaint with police and DOC after dead native birds were left on the steps of Parliament yesterday. 

"I've been briefed today the birds died from blunt-force trauma," Trevor Mallard said.

"The kererū appears to have been killed by bludgeoning."

Fake 1080 pellets and the dead birds were placed on the steps of Parliament  by Ban 1080 protesters. 

1 NEWS was told by protesters from the West Coast that the dead birds were collected over time, then left on the top step of Parliament. The protesters at Parliament said they had been given the box of birds, with some having been "picked up as road kill". 

"So we had something to use as a prop to demonstrate what happens in the forest."

When asked if the birds had been killed through window-strike, Mr Mallard said that was why the investigation was taking place.

"They were certainly killed by blunt-force trauma."

"‎Kererū and weka, amongst other protected native species, were among the dead birds deposited on the steps of Parliament," Mr Mallard said today. 

He said the Wildlife Act meant it was an offence to kill protected wildlife and to have any in possession. 

It will be investigated at Massey University.