Kauri dieback threat closes more tracks on Auckland's North Shore

Thursday, 27 September 2018

Auckland has new track closures as a pre-emptive measure against kauri dieback disease.

There are new track closures on Auckland's North Shore to prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease.

Until two months ago, there was no sign of the kauri-killing disease on the North Shore, but this week's closures bring the number of parks with track closures in and around bush-clad Birkenhead to 16.

The latest closures shut portions of tracks in Eskdale Reserve and Birkenhead Domain.

Kaipātiki Local Board chairman John Gillon said the closures were a pre-emptive measure to help protect kauri trees in these locations from kauri dieback disease.

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During the closure Gillon said it would not be possible to go from one end of Eskdale bush to the other.

Tane Mahuta, in the Waipoua forest, Northland could be affected within a year.

Gillion said Auckland Council had two confirmed kauri dieback cases in the area, in Kauri Park and Muriel Fisher Reserve, which shared a boundary.

Soil samples had been taken from other parks in the Kaipātiki area and the council was awaiting the results.

'We are hoping we don't have the disease anywhere else,' Gillon said.

Meantime, he urged people to obey the closures.

'I have been hearing that some people are getting around the fences which is disappointing, as the closures are essential to protecting our parks for the future,' Gillon said.

Kauri dieback disease was confirmed on the North Shore, for the first time, in late July in Birkenhead's Kauri Park.

All walking tracks in Kauri Park and Muriel Fisher Reserve were closed.

By the start of September, many more parks in the area had partial or full track closures, including: Birkenhead War Memorial Park, City View Reserve, Chatswood Reserve, Fernglen Reserve, Hadfield St Reserve, Odin Place Reserve, Kauri Glen Reserve, Cecil Eady Reserve, Kauri Park, Leigh Scenic Reserve, Le Roys Bush Reserve, Lynn Reserve, Muriel Fisher Reserve and Rangatira Reserve.

Auckland Council biosecurity manager Phil Brown said the closures would be in place for up to six months.

Tracks would need to be assessed and prioritised for upgrade works or re-routing. Cleaning stations would be installed where possible.

Community environmental group, Pest Free Kaipātiki, warned the Kaipātiki Local Board that the kauri in the area were 'incredibly at risk'.

'Once it [the disease] gets into Kauri Park it is going to go down the entire slope and into the other reserves that are at the bottom,' Pest Free Kaipātiki's Jo Knight said at a July 18 local board meeting.

A kauri dieback-related disease, Phytophthora cinnamomi, was confirmed on a tree in Chelsea Estate Heritage Park in June.

Auckland Council closed most of the Waitākere Ranges in May to prevent the spread of the disease in the West Auckland forest.

In Northland, the Department of Conservation had just temporarily closed seven tracks in the Bay of Islands, so they could be upgraded to help prevent the spread of kauri dieback, between now and January.

The work included installing new gravelled tracks, boardwalks, stairways and handrails.

Kerikeri River Track, Lower Waipapa River Track, Oromahoe Traverse, Pukatea Track, Te Araroa Trail, Wairakau Stream Track and Whangamumu/Te Toroa Track are among the closures.

'Kauri dieback spores can live in the wet and muddy sections of tracks, so by taking away their home we reduce the chance of their spread,' DOC Bay of Islands operations manager Rolien Elliot said in a media release.

'These new measures help keep the risk of the disease low, as long as people do the right thing. Staying on the track and cleaning footwear and gear is still the best way to prevent the spread of kauri dieback.'

New Zealand's largest tree, Tāne Mahuta, could also be affected by kauri dieback disease in less than a year, a scientist said in July.

Kauri dieback had been found in a young tree less than 60 metres from Tāne Mahuta.

The tree was a significant part of Northland's tourism offering and has stood in Waipoua forest for over 2000 years.