Proposal to close tracks to protect kauri

Date:  11 July 2018

34 tracks are proposed for full or partial closure in the consultation. Public submissions should be made on DOC’s website by 10 August 2018.

The decision to propose track closures is not taken lightly and has been considered in situations where there is a high kauri dieback risk, low visitor use, high upgrade and ongoing maintenance costs and a similar experience provided in the vicinity.

Not all tracks will be fully closed. There are 24 full closures and 10 partial closures proposed in the consultation. Partial closures are considered where DOC can close a section of track to protect the kauri there and still retain the experience.

DOC has been contacting local Treaty partners and national recreational bodies on the proposed closures. All consultation feedback will be considered before a final decision is made on the track closures. Specific dates for track closures will be made available on the DOC website once this process is complete.

“As there is currently no proven cure or treatment for kauri dieback, we can only save kauri by stopping the disease from spreading. There are a number of tools DOC uses to help stop the spread of the disease, like track upgrades and rerouting, but in some instances track closure needs to be considered,” says Sue Reed-Thomas, Northern North Island Director of Operations, Department of Conservation.

“This consultation process allows the public, who we know have a vested interested in the forest, kauri and kauri dieback, a chance to have their say.” 

Background information

Proposal to close tracks to protect kauri

How to submit on the proposal

DOC would appreciate feedback on these proposed track closures. Responses will be taken into consideration in the final decision-making process. Submissions close 10 August 2018.

Email your submission or related questions to: kauridieback@doc.govt.nz.

Kauri Dieback Recreation Project

In 2014, the Government provided DOC with funding to manage the human spread of kauri dieback on tracks on public conservation land. This resulted in the Kauri Dieback Recreation Project.

As there is currently no proven cure or treatment for kauri dieback, we can only save kauri by stopping the disease from spreading. To achieve this, the project has taken the following approach:

• upgrading tracks to protect kauri roots and eliminate wet and muddy sections
• developing and installing cleaning stations
• introducing initiatives to change people’s behaviour, as the evidence shows that people are the main vector for the disease
• closing tracks.

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