Tens of thousands of hectares of indigenous forests, scrub and shrublands have been lost over the last 30 years. A string of threats loom over what remains.
The view from Ōmanawanui Track in the Waitākere Ranges.
Photo: Auckland Council
The Ōmanawanui Track and the Puriri Ridge Track have also been upgraded with thousands of steps and hundreds of metres of boardwalk being installed.
A Māori name is also being introduced to the Hillary Trail.
Auckland Council said the 6km upgrade is a significant milestone in the reopening of the trail which will also be known as Te Ara Tūhura.
It reconnects a multi-day trail from the Karamatura Valley through to Anawhata.
The council closed many tracks in 2018, following a rāhui placed by iwi over the ngahere (forest) of the Waitākere Ranges.
Press Release – Auckland Council
Auckland ratepayers have been hit by acts of vandalism in local and regional parks where kauri tracks have been closed to the public for upgrades. So far, it has cost them over $100,000.
“These acts of vandalism are a senseless waste of scarce resources and endanger our environment,” says Mayor Phil Goff.
“Council is working hard to reopen tracks so Aucklanders can get out and enjoy the parks and reserves this summer. Senseless behaviour by a small number of people is holding back this work.”
Multiple incidents of ripped fencing, stolen and damaged cameras and signs, theft of spray guns and brushes and broken hygiene stations have been reported; local parks have suffered most.