31 July is World Ranger Day and is a chance for us all to say thank you to our incredible parks people.
Auckland Council looks after over 4000 parks and rangers are at the heart of everything that is done to protect and grow our natural taonga (treasure).
Covering 52,500 hectares or nearly 11 percent of the region, their task is immense and includes protection of our ngahere (forest) and native animals and birds, helping us enjoy getting into nature and creating great opportunities for us all to learn about our special environment.
“Auckland Council Park Rangers do an incredible job in protecting our natural heritage in Tāmaki Makaurau,” says Councillor Alf Filipaina, Chair of the Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee.
“Their amazing mahi allows all of us to get out into nature, enjoy this beautiful region and refresh our bodies, minds and hearts.”
Auckland Council employs just over 80 rangers, with more than 70 of them focussing on regional parks and the remaining known as community rangers and working within community parks.
Alf Filipaina hopes everyone can take a moment to appreciate rangers and their mahi.
“I encourage all Aucklanders to say thank you to our rangers and parks workers. A great way to do that is to head to our local park or regional park and take in the beauty of nature.”
World Ranger Day is a global initiative of the International Ranger Federation (IRF).
The aim of the day is to commemorate rangers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty and to also celebrate the work rangers do to protect natural and cultural heritage around the world.
Check out our Regional Parks and AKL Paths pages for Auckland walkways, cycling tracks, trails and parks.
