Waitākere Ranges re-opening plan shows conflict between recreation and kauri protection

Tuesday, 14 May 2019

Kauri dieback is proving to be a disaster for NZ's native tree population.

Auckland Council is struggling to settle on a plan that allows Auckland residents to enjoy the Waitākere Ranges while preventing the spread of kauri dieback disease.

In May 2018, forested areas of the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park in west Auckland and 10 high-risk racks in south Auckland's Hunua Ranges Regional Park were closed as a preventative measure against kauri dieback disease.

Kauri dieback disease can be spread via tiny amounts of mud or soil carried on people or animals. There is no cure for the disease, which is a threat to the native species' survival as most infected trees will die.

Many of the tracks were closed to protect against the spread of kauri dieback disease. Auckland Council said it was a 'balancing act' between kauri protection and recreation value for residents.

Thousands of kauri trees in the Waitakere Ranges have died since the disease was discovered there in 2006.

**READ MORE:

Those who submitted feedback used the ranges to connect with nature, exercise, get outdoors and reduce stress levels.

* First major Waitākere Ranges kauri track to re-open

* Government invests $14m into research on kauri dieback and myrtle rust diseases

Kauri dieback disease is a threat to the native species' survival as most infected trees will die.

* Seven people trespassed for entering closed Waitākere tracks over Easter**

Auckland Council has been working on a plan to identify tracks to be improved and re-opened as a priority.

Those eight tracks include the Ahu Ahu Track, the Comans Track, the Taitomo Track and the Pararaha Valley Track.

Thirty other tracks, including the popular Fairy Falls Track, are planned to be opened in five years or more.

Seventy-two further tracks are not proposed as a priority for re-opening, while seven tracks will remain permanently closed.

An independent report has outlined the feedback gathered from public consultation which was conducted between January 18 and March 15.

Sixty-one per cent of submitters disagreed with the plan, saying they wanted more access to the ranges, while 35 per cent supported it.

Of Waitākere residents, 71 per cent felt the plan didn't provide enough balance.

They said they used the ranges to connect with nature, exercise, get outdoors and reduce stress levels.

Many expressed a 'deep sense of grief and loss' over the ranges' closures and said they had significantly impacted their well-being.

For many residents, the Waitākere Ranges were central to their decision to live in the area.

Some of the feedback noted the current plan only provided 'basic' walks, prohibiting loop walks, meaning trampers would have to walk the same track back and forth to finish where they started.

Many of the email and letter submissions came from tramping clubs that felt passionate about enjoying longer walks.

'While they see the need to protect kauri, many feel that this should not come at the cost of preventing community access to this much treasured taonga,' the report read.

A quarter of submissions thought the number of track closures were too high, placing further strain on the open tracks.

Twenty per cent 'simply do not believe that humans are the main vector for spreading kauri dieback'.

Council manager of parks Rachel Kelleher said the feedback had a consistent message: 'The public really value and treasure our forests.'

Kelleher said the scope of the feedback was in line with the council's expectations, as it had engaged with the public prior to closing tracks in 2018.

'We knew there were a range of different views, from those who wanted to see no public recreation to those who wanted no restrictions.

'What we know is that the forest is extremely important from ecological, recreational and social perspectives.'

She acknowledged many would find the closures frustrating, but said it was a necessary step in trying to eradicate dieback disease.

'In order to be able to protect our forests for our future generation to enjoy, we have to take protective measures.'

She said there would still be a number of tracks open and the council was progressively making more available. For example, two new tracks had opened over Easter.

It was also an opportunity for trampers to enjoy the other significant forest areas in Auckland, she said.

'We're really lucky, we have such an amazing natural environments. Perhaps it's an opportunity to take a walk in another place.'