The summit has been plagued by vandalism. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey
Vandals and loutish behaviour on One Tree Hill have forced the council to install gates to stop cars accessing the summit at night.
The council will install two gates near the Sorrento, closing the summit between 11pm and 7am. People will still be able to walk and bike
the 1km to the top.
Greg Moyle, chairman of the Auckland City Council arts, culture and recreation committee, said the summit was not a safe place to be at night. "Hopefully the installation of the gates will be a long-term solution to curb the drinking, vandalism and crime that has been happening for some time.
"The time and cost of cleaning up after teenagers and other groups that have gathered there in vehicles is high. Do we have to wait for something bad to happen before we decide to do something about it?
"We looked at several solutions including security cameras, and this one was the best."
Maungakiekie Community Board chairwoman Bridget Graham said the local community had requested the summit closure.
"The community has been complaining for a while. There is a fair amount of vandalism there - people have climbed the monument and defaced it with paint, there have been cars rolled into the crater, people have been abusing others on the top, bottles smashed and broken on the summit - the usual kind of thing.
"Being in that particular place, it's very difficult to police.
"If you wish to go up there and look at the lights and admire the city of Auckland and its two beautiful harbours you can still do that.
It will also be open on New Year's Eve and Matariki, and other special events."
The gates will cost $30,000 and will be paid for by funds saved from the Keith Hay Park project in Mt Roskill.
The installation date is yet to be confirmed.
