DOC closes 21 kauri tracks across the North Island

Friday, 19 October 2018

The Tutamoe Track which has been closed to the public.

The Department of Conservation has closed 10 tracks through kauri forest in Northland - but Tāne Mahuta remains open to the public.

Twenty-one tracks around the North Island were closed in an announcement by Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage on Wednesday.

These include four walking tracks along the Kauri Coast, the Kauri Bush Track in Kaitaia which meets the Te Araroa Trail, and a further five tracks in Whangarei.

Public submissions on the proposal was completed in August. A further 10 will be partially closed, as DOC attempts to stop the spread of kauri dieback.

Of the 105 submissions, 67 supported closures, 25 were against, three were both for and against while nine were neutral.

Kauri Coast resident Gordon Morfett, who has worked with kauri and promoting the area since 1994, said it's hard to say how the closures will affect tourism.

Kauri dieback killing businesses as well as trees, as track closures begin to bite

Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage announced 21 tracks are closing in the North Island to help prevent the spread of kauri dieback.

Kauri dieback turning 1000-year-old trees into 'big skeletons'**

'It's part of an overall picture of what we have to offer on the Kauri Coast, but I don't see it having a huge impact on the area,' Morfett said.

'But god forbid if they ever close Tāne Mahuta or if they close Trounson Kauri Park that would be a disaster for many reasons.

'I wouldn't want that to close or Tāne Mahuta but the powers that be have to do what they have to do.'

The Hukatere, Lookout, Toatoa and Tutamoe tracks are all closed on the Kauri Coast in western Northland.

Dargaville trampers Alan and Maxine Stringer who enjoyed the Tutamoe Track said they are supportive of any protection projects.

'We appreciate the decision would not have been taken lightly, but was taken to ensure that the forest and kauri are still standing for our future generations,' they said.

'There are plenty of other DOC tracks that are not closed that we can use.'

Owner of the Dargaville Visitor Information Centre Sue Taylor said she didn't think the four closures on the Kauri Coast would have an effect.

'There's still plenty to see - the main ones are Tane Mahuta and Te Matua Ngahere.

'We wouldn't know the effects [of closing Tāne Mahuta] until it happens, but you can still plenty of trees on your way into the forest.'

There are no plans yet to close tracks leading to Tāne Mahuta. The other tracks closed are on Great Barrier Island, Hauraki, Tauranga and the Waikato.

'As there is currently no proven cure for kauri dieback, the best way to protect our kauri is to slow and stop the disease from spreading,' Eugenie Sage said.

'I appreciate some people may be disappointed by the closure of a favourite track but I strongly encourage everyone to do the right thing and respect the track closures to reduce the risk to kauri forests.'