LAMENTING MAUNGA CLOSURES

I am dismayed by the decision of the Tupuna Maunga Authority (TMA) to close vehicle access to five further volcanic-cone summits in Auckland (“Peak practice”, March 25). Apart from the Listener article, I’ve seen little public reaction to or

commentary on the plan.

Having lived in Auckland for 50 years, I have visited all these cones – indeed, lunch on top of Mt Wellington was a regular occurrence when I worked in that area. Now, every time I see that imposing cone, my heart sinks at the thought that it will no longer be accessible to me.

As an older man, I wonder if I will ever be able to take my grandchildren or overseas visitors to these places in future.

TMA’s Paul Majurey says that pedestrianising the summits, and other measures, will help Aucklanders rediscover and cherish the maunga.

A more likely outcome is that most Aucklanders will feel alienated from these taonga and cherish them less. Paul Lowman (Half Moon Bay, Auckland)