Te Matuku Awaawaroa Walkway has been re-opened following completion of work to divert over 1 kilometre of existing track away from kauri forest.
While Waiheke is kauri dieback-free, the track has been closed since November 2018 to protect kauri on the island.
The track, running through private land owned by the late Sir Rob Fenwick and Lady Jenny Fenwick, consists of native bush regenerating through pasture, and contains important remnants of Māori occupation.
The Fenwicks gifted the land to Auckland City Council in 2002 so that it could be returned to forest and the people.
Waiheke Local Board Chair Cath Handley says the local board is pleased the work is now complete so that the public can once again experience the regenerative bush and bellbird song on the peninsula between Awaawaroa Bay and Te Matuku Bay.
“With kauri dieback already well established on the mainland, the closure of the track while it was diverted away from the kauri stand was crucial.
“We need to take proactive steps to protect Waiheke’s kauri,” she said.
Final touches still required on the track include installation of box steps on some steep sections and edge board, side drains and culverts in parts of the southern end of the track.
The track diversion was undertaken as part of the Waiheke Kauri Dieback Action Plan which sets out the action to be undertaken by Auckland Council, the Waiheke Local Board and others to keep Waiheke kauri ecosystems free from kauri dieback disease.
Protect kauri
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
