Neighbours deliberately breaching kauri closures

Residents living in Auckland’s Waita¯kere Ranges are deliberately breaching track closures in place to limit the spread of kauri dieback disease.

Auckland Council confirmed 49 trespass notices had been issued since it stepped up its compliance efforts at the West Auckland forest during the past six months. Of these, 95 per cent were locals who were ‘‘not playing by the rules’’.

Council regulatory compliance manager Steve Pearce said they were residents living adjacent to areas where tracks were closed.

‘‘It’s disappointing,’’ Pearce said. ‘‘These people live in the area and understand the risks. They’ve climbed barriers and ignored signs to access closed areas – and that’s not on.’’

Most of the 144 tracks in the ranges have been closed since last year because of the threat of kauri dieback. Kauri dieback disease can be spread via tiny amounts of mud or soil carried on people or animals.

Pearce said 99 per cent of visitors to the local and regional parks in Waita¯kere were doing the right thing by scrubbing boots and equipments, staying on open tracks and respecting the ra¯hui. ‘‘What we have found, though, is of the 1 per cent not playing by the rules, 95 per cent of the offenders have been locals.’’

At Labour weekend, the council issued 15 trespass notices for those flouting the rules – up from seven at Easter weekend.

A further 20 potential offenders were spoken to and warned.

Pearce said people could be banned from the park and face penalties of up to $20,000 if they reoffended.

‘‘Issuing trespass notices is not an option we take lightly,’’ he said.

‘‘There are serious consequences for breaching a trespass order; we don’t want that; all we’re wanting is for people to do the right thing.’’

He said with summer coming up, council’s compliance team would be out in force making sure the rules of the forest were adhered to.