Kauri protected by park closure

The forested areas of the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park and 10 higher-risk tracks in the Hunua Ranges Regional Park are closed, effective from Tuesday 1 May.

Auckland Council has implemented the closures after deciding last month to close these areas by 1 May 2018 to prevent the spread of, and protect against, kauri dieback disease.

Controlled Area Notices have also been introduced by the Ministry for Primary Industries across currently open tracks within the forested area of the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park and all of the native forest area of the Hunua Ranges regional parkland.

New signs and barriers will be erected on tracks and compliance officers will monitor the closures and controlled areas in both parks. This will increase over coming weeks.

Auckland Council along with mana whenua and central government have made the descison to close the parks to tackle one of the regions most urgent and challenging environmental issues.

The closure is aimed at giving kauri the best shot at survival which will protect this unique native species from extinction.