A pest-free Shakespear Regional Park opens its gates yesterday as Auckland's second open sanctuary.
The park has been closed for the past five months to eradicate animal pests, the final step to the Whangaparaoa park joining Tawharanui as an open sanctuary.
The plan is to create a safe haven for birds migrating into Auckland from Hauraki Gulf islands, such as Tiritiri Matangi and Little Barrier.
A 1.75km pest-proof fence will keep out pests like rats, cats, rabbits, hedgehogs, possums, stoats and weasels. Visitors will enter through controlled gates.
Auckland Council parks, recreation and heritage forum chairwoman Sandra Coney said it was a long-awaited day for regular visitors.