Kauri forest is a unique part of the Upper North Island forest and majestic trees tower above the canopy and give life to a distinctive ecosystem.

However, they also survive in fragments from a history of logging and now face another threat from kauri dieback disease, a soil-borne disease killing kauri trees in Auckland and Northland.

“The disease is serious, but the message is simple,” says Dr Nick Waipara from Auckland Council Biosecurity.
“This disease is soil-borne and can be spread by people on shoes and equipment. Everyone working in or visiting kauri forest should make sure their footwear and equipment is clean of soil when they arrive at kauri forest and clean it again when they leave,” he says.

“This is the most important message right now while we research treatment options.”

In Auckland, it has been confirmed in the Hunua Ranges, the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, council land in West Auckland and Awhitu Peninsula, Department of Conservation reserves at Okura, Albany, Pakiri and Great Barrier Island and private land in many areas of Auckland including Logues Bush and Pakiri in North Auckland.

It is also in Northland, including Trounson Kauri Park and Waipoua Forest – home of the iconic Tane Mahuta.

The kauri dieback programme partners are: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Department of Conservation, Auckland Council, Northland Regional Council, Waikato Regional Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and iwi.

Visit www.kauridieback.co.nz for more information.

A number of tracks within the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park will be closed in an attempt to prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease. 

These track closures will be effective from 14 October 2011 and will remain closed until 12 December 2011. This is being treated as a trial and will enable us to monitor the impact of visitors on unaffected areas of forested parkland as well as an attempt to reduce the spread of this disease. 

The following tracks will be closed:

• Robinson Ridge Track
  
• Wainamu Bush Track
  
• Walker Kauri Track 
  
• Summit Track
  
• Crusher Pipe Track
  
• Destruction Gully
  
• La Trobe Track
  
• Lucy Cranwell Track 
  
• Forbes Track 

If you are planning a trip to the Waitakere Ranges, please look for alternative tracks to use or explore, visit the Arataki Visitor Centre or phone us on 09 817 0077 for advice on an alternative route. 

For more information about kauri dieback, also known as Phytophthora taxon Agathis or PTA, go to www.kauridieback.co.nz. When heading out into our region’s kauri forests:  

A reminder from Imogen .....

After our tramp earlier this month along Christie's Track, I sent an email to Auckland Council that administer that area.   The Senior Ranger for the area advises that they will be undertaking some remedial maintenance of the Christie's Track with a shovel to address a slip about half way down the track and some trees will be receiving a slight haircut. The maintenance crew will attend to this over the coming month, as at mid-September 2011.

Please also note that in September the track has extremely boggy areas, even for this track (which may have improved by now). This may end up being remedied if trees are cut back to allow passing.