The plan proposed what tracks would be prioritised for upgrade work and reopening over the next two to five years. It was developed using criteria that aimed to manage kauri dieback disease and support kauri health while still enabling a wide range of recreation opportunities.

Auckland Council Regional Parks Manager, Rachel Kelleher says the consultation received over 700 pieces of feedback during the eight-week consultation period through various channels, including community meetings and drop-in sessions, and one on one meetings with affected residents.

“Thank you to everyone who took time to provide us with their views on the draft plan. We’ve received the final feedback report and are pleased to share it with the public today.”

Read the full feedback report here [PDF].

“Kauri dieback protection is a serious and complex biosecurity issue and one that we must do our best to manage. While we will never be able to make everyone happy, we are committed to providing a realistic balance between recreation and conservation outcomes.

“We were pleased to reopen Comans Track and the Lower Arataki Nature Trail at Easter and it has been great to receive positive feedback from the public who have since walked these tracks. Contractors and staff have been working hard on upgrading both Zig Zag and Slip tracks and expect to have these open in the very near future.”

Auckland Council’s criteria for the re-opening of tracks:

• Recreating coastal connectivity, providing for multi-day walking opportunities and kauri-safe access to identified iconic destinations
• Tracks must be of a standard that protects and supports forest health and prevent the movement of soil to stop the spread of kauri dieback both within and out of the park
• Avoid high-value non-symptomatic kauri ecosystems
• Provide a range of recreational opportunities that where possible are concentrated to the forest edge.