Tracks shifted to save trees

Kauri dieback in the Huia area of the Waitakere ranges. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

The Auckland Regional Council has begun diverting highly used walking tracks around kauri stands in the Waitakere Ranges in an attempt to prevent the spread of dieback disease.

ARC parks deputy chairwoman Christine Rose said: "We will continue to look at whether tracks need to be closed or rerouted if evidence shows this to be an effective way of controlling the disease."

The Waitakere Ranges Protection Society said new aerial mapping and tree testing showed kauri on popular walking tracks were more likely to be dead or dying than those on less well used tracks.

Mrs Rose said people could spread the disease by tracking soil on their shoes but if they followed regional park guidelines they were unlikely to. Cleaning equipment was available and signs alerted visitors to the disease.

Society president John Edgar wanted the council to take more precautions than just asking people to clean mud off their boots - he wanted some tracks closed.

But Mrs Rose said closing tracks was not a decision to be taken lightly.

"Our over-riding concern is protecting kauri but as stewards of the park, we need to balance this against giving the public access to the Waitakere Ranges."

Council measures include upgrading tracks and killing 100 feral pigs.

"The ARC has so far spent nearly $300,000 on external costs for kauri dieback and much more than that in staff time," said Mrs Rose.

A task force of government departments and four regional councils is planning prevention measures and seeking money from Government.