Although most tracks in the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park have now been reopened, some remain closed. We ask the public to respect all closures and not remove any barriers or signage currently in place for their own safety, and to not add to environmental damage in the area, including the threat of spreading kauri dieback disease.
Our parks rangers and staff are continuing to review information relating to land stability and the recommended geotechnical responses to areas which these remaining closed tracks pass through.
The recommended responses include measures to limit further land movement and monitor ongoing movement before substantial remediation of these tracks can begin.
Because of this, unfortunately the availability of tracks in areas like Piha and Muriwai will be reduced over the coming summer period. Please rest assured that our rangers, staff and contractors are working hard on continuing to re-establish as many of the tracks as they can, including re-opening partial sections as they are able.
We want to acknowledge the tireless work of our ranger team and contractors to ensure as many tracks as possible are open to the public ahead of summer. Because of their work, the public can safely walk from Huia to Piha due to the network of tracks now reopened between these areas.
We are also pleased to announce the Arataki Visitor Centre reopened on 2 December. This centre is an amazing source of information about our West Auckland tracks and we are thrilled it will be open in time for visitors this summer.
We continue to encourage visitors to check our map of open and closed tracks on the Auckland Council website before heading out.
Tracks that have recently reopened:
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Upper Nihotupu Dam walk
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Comans Track
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Gibbons Track
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Muir Track
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Slip Track
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Caves Track (Whatipu)
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Maungaroa lookout Track
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Kitekite Track (including access to Kitekite Falls) - please note that Glenesk Road has residents-only vehicle access. To reach Kitekite Track, you must park at the beach carpark and walk down Glenesk Road.
Damaged tracks are likely to reopen in the short to medium term:
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White Track
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Marawhara Track
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Lake Wainamu Access Track
Damaged tracks that will not be open for some time:
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Laird Thomson Track
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Ahu Ahu Track
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Tasman Lookout Track
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Lion Rock Track
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Lake Wainamu Track (full loop)
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Gannet Track / Takapu Refuge
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Zig Zag Track
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Knutzen Tracks
Damaged tracks awaiting further investigation:
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Quarry Track
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Lookout Track
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Edwin Mitchelson Track
Note for Piha residents: The Eel bridge (Footbridge) at Piha Domain has recently been inspected by Council staff, and we can confirm the bridge is structurally sound and safe for use. Some minor maintenance issues unrelated to this year's weather events have been identified, which will be attended to in due course.
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