Tainui Reserve will be closed to the public from March 11 as the Hastings District Council starts the removal of a stand of exotic trees at Hikanui Pā within the reserve, which is anticipated to take up to six weeks to complete.
While the majority of the area will be closed during this time, the grass area between Keith Sands Grove and Keirunga Rd will remain open, except during helicopter operations where the land will be used for landing and refuelling.
Advance notice will be provided to nearby residents before helicopter activity.
The removal of the trees comes after the site was damaged severely during Cyclone Gabrielle and arboricultural specialists advised that the loss of so many trees had left the remaining trees vulnerable to failing, risking serious damage to the Hikanui pā site and reserve visitors.
![Hastings District Council map shows the Tainui Reserve canopy coverage loss and trees they plan to remove to protect Hikanui Pā.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/XJICWEZGL5EY3NLMBUHW4VGSTA.jpg?auth=a3fa105ea9b11fcf8972a19d0a6f530d7a66ad6aa425985cb5ae7531a1f1054f&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)