Ōrākei Local Board has endorsed a high-level kauri protection action plan for parks and reserves within the local board area. This is ahead of the development of a detailed kauri dieback mitigation programme due mid-2019.
The local board area is home to six parks and reserves that contain kauri ecosystems; Waiatarua Reserve, Dingle Dell Reserve, Ohinerau/Mt Hobson, Ōrākei Domain, St Johns Bush and Waiata Reserve.
Ōrākei Local Board Chair Kit Parkinson says the local board is incredibly passionate about environmental protection and ensuring that native species thrive.
“In our local board area, we’re very lucky to have many beautiful trees of both native and non-native species.
"Our urban forest plays an important role in making our local board area such a great place to live.
“Both Waiatarua Reserve and Dingle Dell Reserve are classified as high-value kauri ecosystems. Both of these reserves are well-loved and regularly used for recreation by members of our communities.
“This means that investment is required to ensure kauri in these reserves remain healthy, are protected and that any diseased kauri are contained and do not become a source of infection,” he said.
Plans to secure the ongoing health of kauri in the local board’s parks and reserves are still underway but solutions could look like track upgrades, installation of boardwalks, hygiene stations, new signage and awareness raising activities.
“Kauri is a taonga and a keystone species. As our city grows and building intensifies, we must look to safeguard these precious trees,” said Mr. Parkinson.
