Walk Talk

In May 2018, Auckland Council closed the forested areas of the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park to increase protection of the forest from kauri dieback disease.

Several tracks were marked as priorities for upgrade during 2018/19. Staff have been working hard carrying out improvement work on tracks so that they meet the standard for reopening, including the Kitekite track that opened on Boxing Day.

Rachel Kelleher, Manager Regional Parks, says while the work programme for 2019 is confirmed, the council would like to find out what tracks the community want to prioritise for the next round of upgrade work from 2020.

“There is significant demand for recreational opportunity in the Waitākere Ranges and community expectation that further tracks will be reopened.

“We have worked with Te Kawerau ā Maki on a track reopening plan and now want to hear from our concessionaires, regular park users and the local community about what tracks they think we should prioritise our efforts towards in the next two to five years.”

Public consultation on this plan is now open and will continue through to 14 March 2019.