Auckland Council and Waiheke Local Board will temporarily close vulnerable tracks to protect Waiheke Island’s kauri against the risk of kauri dieback disease being spread from the mainland.
Two tracks are currently planned for closure to protect kauri: Fisher Road and part of the walkway through Sir Rob Fenwick’s property linking Awaawaroa to Te Matuku Bay.
Sir Rob Fenwick and Auckland Council have arranged for a contractor to temporarily re-route the walkway through Sir Rob’s property for the Waiheke Island Walking Festival.
Contractors will start to close these tracks on 16 November, and they will be completed over the next week with barriers and signage placed at affected track entrances.
The closures and re-route will remain in place until options for the longer-term protection of kauri on these tracks is investigated.
Auckland Council Biosecurity Manager, Kauri Dieback, Lisa Tolich, says that the closures are about taking a proactive approach.
“Waiheke is recognised globally as a jewel in the crown of the Hauraki Gulf Islands and its kauri deserve additional protection to help maintain their disease-free status.
“These tracks contain some significant kauri stands and closure allows us to protect them while we develop solutions for the future, including track upgrades.
“We’d like to acknowledge the organisers of the Waiheke Walking Festival for their careful planning to date to ensure that kauri dieback hygiene protocols are used and promoted at their event.
“The festival over the next week is a perfect opportunity to continue to raise awareness of kauri dieback disease and to encourage Aucklanders and other visitors to scrub, spray and stay on designated tracks,” says Ms Tolich.
Waiheke Local Board Chair Cath Handley says this action is needed now to ensure the island stays free of kauri dieback.
“With the disease already well established on the mainland, it’s crucially important that we take any steps we can to stop its spread to Waiheke.
“We ask that everyone please respect these closures and choose an alternative route instead. We’ve all got to do our bit to protect kauri,” says Ms Handley.
Find maps on track closures for Fisher Road and Te Matuku To Awaroa Walkway.
Protect kauri
This follows other proactive closures by Auckland Council across the region to protect kauri, most recently in Kaipatiki in September.
Always clean your footwear and equipment before entering kauri areas and after leaving and use any footwear cleaning stations you encounter on your visit. Please always stick to designated open tracks.
Find out more about Auckland Council’s work to protect kauri at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/protectkauri
