In response to kauri dieback being confirmed at Kauri Park and Muriel Fisher Reserve earlier this year, many tracks and reserves have been closed to contain and reduce the chance of dieback spreading further.
Kaipātiki Local Board Chair John Gillon says it’s critical for kauri that people respect the closures that are in place.
“Assessment work that will determine what we can do with individual tracks going forward is in the process of being completed and is expected to reach the local board in December.
“Once we have that information, we will have a clearer picture of what next steps look like in terms of potential costs, options and timeframes,” he says.
"While closures are in place, only people who have successfully passed the Kauri Dieback Certification process run by Pest Free Kaipātiki should be entering our closed tracks and reserves."
Pest Free Kaipātiki has now trained over 50 local volunteers, including five local board members, to help ensure that their pest free rat-baiting and weed removal programmes continue without putting kauri at risk.
"A lot of people have told us they are not sure what tracks are open and which are closed," says Gillon.
"To improve understanding, we have updated the popular Kaipātiki Explorer booklet to show people what tracks are open and which are closed in the area.
"The booklet is the result of a lot of hard work from our community partners at Kaipatiki Community Facilities Trust and Pest Free Kaipātiki."
This Kaipātiki Explorer booklet can be viewed and downloaded here or picked up from libraries across Kaipātiki in Northcote, Birkenhead and Glenfield.
Please always check your shoes are clean of dirt before entering bush reserves, and where possible, try visiting parks and reserves without kauri trees.
For more information, including a full list of all closed tracks and reserves, visit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/protectkauri
For information on kauri protection in Kaipātiki, including Kauri Dieback Certification, visit pestfreekaipatiki.org.nz
