Forum proposes kauri protection areas

Auckland Council is taking further steps to protect kauri in the Auckland region by proposing track closures in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.

The council’s Parks, Recreation and Heritage Forum today recommended the closure of 27km of track in the ranges, in areas where tracks run through kauri stands that appear to be unaffected by kauri dieback.

“This is a precautionary approach,’” says Cr Sandra Coney, Chair of the Parks, Recreation and Heritage Forum. “It is an attempt to control the spread of this disease that is devastating the giants of our forests and threatening the entire future of kauri, while still allowing people’s enjoyment of the ranges and its tracks.

“We are also keeping a close eye on the Hunua Ranges Regional Park where we are investigating steps to take a similar approach in the near future,” she says.

Protection zones in the Cascade Kauri, Anawhata, Waiatarua, Piha, Karekare, Huia and Parau areas have been identified. If this proposal is approved by Council, sections of track within these zones would be closed and reviewed in 12 months to assess the effectiveness of this management approach.

“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 pay attention to the signs, 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.

Recommendations from the Parks, Recreation and Heritage Forum will be made to the Regional Development and Operations Committee which can make the final decision on closing tracks in the Waitakere Ranges.

www.kauridieback.co.nz