Wait¯akere Ranges tracks face closure
An iwi will press ahead with a public ban on entering one of Auckland’s largest parks before the end of this year.
Kauri in the Waita¯ kere Ranges have been extensively logged in the past, and now an incurable disease was killing what’s left – spread by human feet.
They were the life-force and spirit of the forest and their destruction was an existential threat to Te Kawerau a¯ Maki, its trust’s executive manager Edward Ashby said in a letter to Auckland Council.
The iwi faced the loss of its heartland, and the ra¯ hui – or prohibition on entering – on the entire Waita¯kere Ranges was necessary as its concern has not been taken seriously.
‘‘When the issue has been raised, our voice is drowned by a cacophony of self-interested community voices, operational policies, and political lethargy,’’ he said. ‘‘The time to act is now, and to act boldly.’’
Ashby has asked the council to impose a Controlled Area Notice in support of the ban, but said mana whenua intended to press ahead regardless.
Auckland Council confirmed it was considering a notice, but was weighing up the effect on people and the practicalities of such a ban.
But Te Kawerau a¯ Maki would not wait another decade ‘‘for deliberations or further trialling of methods’’, Ashby said. ‘‘Our forest will be dead by then.
‘‘Subsequently as kaitiaki of
‘‘as kaitiaki of the area, we have no choice but to close down the entire forest’’
Edward Ashby
the area, we have no choice but to close down the entire forest, [excluding] roads and private property, to ensure its long-term protection and survival.’’
Ashby said a ceremony would be held to close all the tracks before the end of this year, but they would be opened one by one over time as it was deemed safe.
Auckland Council director of community services Ian Maxwell said it was looking at the effects of closing the 16,000 hectare park.
The council was considering the impact of such a closure on both recreational users and those who live and work in the Waita¯ kere Ranges, as well as the practical side of imposing a ra¯ hui.
‘‘At the same time, the council continues to look at other options for partial closure of areas of the ranges,’’ he said. Maxwell said there was 15 areas in the park which were already closed to the public in order to protect kauri.