Regional forest park tracks will be closed to public

The large regional park to the west of Auckland is now off limits to the public, except for 23 tracks.

People using the open Waita¯kere Ranges trails were now required to remove every speck of dirt from their shoes when entering and exiting – or risk a fine of up to $2000.

Trespass notices and prosecution could be slapped on walkers who use the 112 closed tracks and those that enter the forest offtrack.

Over the coming weeks signs would be erected, some car parks and track entrances would be blocked off, hidden cameras used and 14 new compliance officers would join up to 30 rangers in policing the forest.

A soft approach would be taken at first, with enforcement used if necessary. The officers and rangers did not have the power to arrest.

Auckland Council biosecurity manager Phil Brown said he expected these measures would keep more than 90 per cent of people out of the closed areas of the park – and that this would be good for kauri. But protecting the trees was complex and the council’s unprecedented measures would be reviewed and adjusted.

The council was also stepping up pig culling, had injected about 3600 kauri with phosphite near Piha and was conducting research.

Environment committee chairwoman Penny Hulse said the council wanted to work with Aucklanders.

‘‘We can’t police every track,’’ she said. ‘‘The more people out patrolling tracks the more it costs. And, I personally, would rather that money was spent on pest control and improving the track conditions.’’

Hulse said it was no secret the council had been frustrated with the previous government’s ‘‘lack of engagement’’ on kauri dieback.

‘‘We’ve had to do the hard work up until now on our own.’’

Parks manager Rachel Kelleher said the council had hoped to have 44 tracks remaining open on May 1, but bad weather, reinspection, and trouble with getting cleaning stations from manufacturers meant it was not achievable.

The council wanted the public to have a good experience when they visited the park, and more tracks would be opened up as it was deemed safe to do so.

THE WAITA¯ KERE RA¯ HUI

Te Kawerau a¯ Maki chief executive Edward Ashby said people walking on 21 of the 23 tracks would not be breaking its customary prohibition, or ra¯ hui, as long as boots were properly cleaned on entering and exit.

‘‘But the bigger message is, of course, if you can, please go somewhere else,’’ Ashby said.

The iwi would work with the council on opening the 44 tracks consulted on, but did not promise support after that.

Ashby said the ra¯ hui covered the entire forest, which extended beyond the regional park to cover local parks in the ranges, Goldies Bush and private land – but did not apply to private land owners.

THE HUNUA RANGES

Ten tracks in the Hunua Ranges were also closed from May 1 to protect healthy kauri in the forest.

There was a Controlled Area Notice on the native forest parts of the Hunua park and the adjoining DOC-administered land.