News

Respect and Protect

Friday 13/04/2018

The prevalence of kauri dieback  disease is proving devastating for our kauri trees.

After much consideration and consultation, Auckland Council has moved to closed forested areas of the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park.High risk tracks in Hunua Ranges areas, which so far appear to have been spared the infection, will also be closed as a protective measure. These restrictions will take effect from May 1, but there’s every reason to respect the cause by steering clear now.

As disappointing as it is to have to avoid these beautiful walks, this is about short term loss for long term gain. Without action, it is anticipated that kauri could be wiped out within our lifetime. With the correct measures in place, it’s possible that they will survive. Let’s be the generation who got this right!

Can you still enjoy the wild and wonderful west? Absolutely. Beaches and pasturelands will remain accessible, as will a limited number of tracks.

If you are in a forested area, particularly if you are in the north island, it’s advised that you treat the area as infected, even if you don’t believe it to be, and take the necessary precautions against spreading the infection. These include:

• Cleaning all soil off your footwear and other gear, every time you enter or leave a forest/area with native trees, and at every cleaning station.
• Using disinfectant only after you have removed all the soil.
• Staying on track and off kauri roots. A kauri’s roots can grow outwards 3x as far as its branches.

How long the restrictions will be in place will be discussed in the following months. For more information on kauri dieback and the areas that will be affected, visit the Auckland City Council website.