Media release
5 April 2012

Track closures for kauri protection in the Waitakere Ranges

Recommendation from the Parks, Recreation &
Heritage ForumClick Here

Auckland Council will be closing 13 ‘kauri protection zones’ in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park to protect kauri from kauri dieback, from 1 July.

The council’s Regional Development and Operations Committee today endorsed a recommendation from the Parks, Recreation and Heritage Forum to isolate 13 areas or ‘kauri protection zones’, involving the closing of 27km of track in the ranges. Areas protected are those where tracks run through kauri stands that appear to be unaffected by kauri dieback.

“We are adopting a precautionary approach to protect this iconic species which defines the Auckland region,’” says Cr Sandra Coney, Chair of the Parks, Recreation and Heritage Forum. “The aim is to stop spread but also to protect unaffected areas for the future recovery of kauri in the ranges.”

“We are also responding to widespread community concern that efforts so far have not halted the spread of kauri dieback. We have tried to ensure there is still plenty of scope for visitors to the Waitakere Ranges to be able to walk and tramp.

“There are over 250 kilometres of tracks in the ranges, so there are alternative routes and it does not affect the Hillary Trail.

“We are also awaiting a report on the Hunua Ranges Regional Park which will allow us to consider a similar approach in the south, in an area that appears to be unaffected by the disease altogether.

“All of the local boards have shown a tremendous amount of support for protection measures in their local parks as well,” she says.

Waitakere Ranges kauri protection zones are in the Cascade Kauri, Anawhata, Waiatarua, Piha, Karekare, Huia and Parau areas. These zones will be closed from 1 July 2012 and this management approach will be reviewed in 12 months to assess its effectiveness.

“There are many unknowns with this disease,” says Cr Coney. “While our researchers and scientists work to understand more about how it is spread and whether a vaccine or cure can be found, we have an obligation to look after vulnerable areas.

“I urge all visitors to our region’s parks to help us by staying out of quarantined zones, and on open tracks to be scrupulous in cleaning their footwear and to use the cleaning stations provided on the parks.”

The Auckland Council is part of a joint agency programme to keep kauri standing which includes Iwi, DOC, regional councils and MAF Biosecurity NZ.

www.kauridieback.co.nz

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Notes

The following tracks (or sections of these tracks) will be closed from 1 July 2012:

Kauri protection zone Track
Cascade Kauri • Robinsons Ridge Track
Anawhata • Chateau Mosquito
• RGB Track
Waiatarua • Walker Kauri Track
• Dreamlands Track
• Taumata Track
Piha • Lucy Cranwell Track
Karekare • La Trobe Track
Huia • Nuggets Track
• Bob Gordon Track (Mt Donald McLean)
Parau • Crusher Pipeline Track
• Nihotupu Ridge Track
• Summit Track (between Nihotupu Ridge and Hamiltons Farley Track)
• Farley Track
• Manchester Unity Block (between Victory Road and Big Muddy Creek)
ENDS

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