As Matariki celebrations signal a new year and new opportunity, winter also gives us the chance to reflect on how far we’ve come.
For Auckland Council rangers in the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park team, the past year has been a busy one.
In February 2023, this small but stoic group of 18 rangers - who are also conservationists, guardians of our natural heritage and avid track walkers, weighed up the devastation wreaked from Auckland’s 2023 storms throughout Waitākere Ranges Regional Park, and set about tackling it head on.
Waitākere ward councillor Shane Henderson says without the willingness of this team to dig in and get the job done, regardless of the weather and sometimes perilous locations, Aucklanders would certainly have missed out on opportunities to get outside, explore the bush and enjoy being up close with nature this year.
“Throughout the past 16 months, they have worked tirelessly week after week, metre by metre, in partnership with volunteers, iwi and contractors to stabilise, rebuild and reconnect many of our favourite walking tracks out west,” says Cr Henderson.
“Because of their hard graft, we can safely walk from Huia to Anawhata using the network of tracks now reopened between these areas,” he adds.
“I’m also thrilled to be able to return to Te Piringa Cascade Kauri since it reopened in December 2023. This restored access provides an amazing hub for walking tracks in the northern Waitākere area.”
Regional Operations Western Principal Ranger Dave Markham agrees that it’s been a challenging year but says he’s extremely proud of the hard work his team has accomplished.
“We’ve come a long way in a relatively short space of time. Following the 2023 storm damage, access to the Wāitakere Ranges Regional was severely impacted with 22 track closures required due to storm-related damage.
Fifteen of those are now fully or partially open, providing a range of recreational options again to visitors and Aucklanders alike,” Mr Markham says.
“We have also completed scheduled capital works in the northern and western areas of the park in that short timeframe.
“Access to the magical Fairy Falls from Scenic Drive entrance is the latest project we are excited to reopen soon. Parking remains limited though so visitors should time their walk where possible outside the busiest times at weekends and public holidays,” he adds.
“Our next focus will be to look at the more complex sites and continue to repair and restore additional tracks as timing and budget allows.”
Several of our most recognised scenic tracks will remain closed for some time due to complex, overlapping issues like instability and pathway obstructions. They include the Lion Rock Track at Piha, the Gannet Track at Muriwai, and the full loop track at Lake Wainamu.
“There are a range of factors we need to work through to find safe and sustainable solutions, once funding becomes available,” says Mr Markham.
A current estimate of the remaining repair work required in the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park is currently at $10 million.
To avoid disappointment, Mr Markham urges people to check the status of their preferred track on the council’s geomaps webpage before leaving home.
"The key on the map indicates the status of our walking tracks – green is open, red is closed. We keep this resource regularly updated so please visit the site before you set off to ensure you have an optimal experience.”
Waitākere Ranges Regional Park tracks that have reopened:
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Upper Nihotupu Dam walk, Wāitakere Ranges
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Comans Track, Karekare
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Gibbons Track Muir Track, Whatipū
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Slip Track, Wāitakere Ranges
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Whatipu Caves Track
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Maungaroa Lookout Track, Piha
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Kitekite Track (including access to Kitekite Falls), Piha - please note that Glenesk Road has residents-only vehicle access. To reach Kitekite Track, you must park at the beach car park and walk down Glenesk Road.
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White Track, Piha to Anawhata
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Marawhara Walk, Piha
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Upper and Lower Te Piringa, Cascade Kauri
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Montana Heritage Trail, Cascade Kauri
Damaged tracks that remain closed:
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Laird Thomson Track: Due to a substantial slip, only the upper section of the track (Anwhata Road to Te Waha) is open. Extensive remedial work is required.
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Ahu Ahu Track: Works throughout the track are still required, access from The Mercer Bay loop to Karekare is available via Comans track.
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Tasman Lookout Track: Three significant slips have occurred. Access to the Gap is available along the beach at low tide.
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Lion Rock Track: Unsafe and unstable. A complex situation due to the cultural heritage and ongoing land instability.
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Lake Wainamu Track (full loop): There have been seven significant slips affecting this track around the lake, with repairs likely to cost $1.3 million.
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Zig-Zag Track: Two significant slips require extensive remedial work likely to cost around $500,000. More investigation and funding is needed.
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Kitekite Falls Track: We have restored some interim access to the Kitekite Falls, risk mitigation processes are in place that may necessitate temporal closures following high rainfall events. Bridge construction and track remediation is required before we can re-establish the Kitekite / Knutzen Loop walk to the falls.
Also closed at Muriwai Regional Park:
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Maukatia Gannet Track / Takapu Refuge: We are working with engineers and geotechnical experts to see how we can create some access to the gannet colony. Ground movement monitoring is in progress to help inform the next steps.
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Edwin Mitchelson Reserve Tracks: The northern section of Edwin Mitchelson Reserve has been significantly impacted by slips and various track sections are damaged.
