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The Atuanui Mount Auckland walkway and scenic reserve overlooking Kaipara Harbour has been closed to the public in a bid to protect the native bushland from kauri dieback.
The Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara Trust board made the decision to place a rahui on Atuanui from Saturday, September 15 until further notice, following the recent closure of the Waitakere Ranges.
The trust’s environmental services spokesperson, Shona Oliver, said although kauri dieback had not been found on Atuanui, extra care was needed to protect the land as risks increased.
“Atuanui has been under added pressure with other track closures across the region and is seeing an increase in visitors,” she said. “The risk of kauri dieback being spread is high and there is a need to improve track infrastructure.”
Ownership of the reserve and walkway were transferred to Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara in 2013 as part of the iwi’s Treaty of Waitangi Settlement.
