Auckland’s Waitakere Ranges reopen 11 tracks in time for Summer

Auckland’s Waitākere Ranges has reopened 11 tracks in time for summer following upgrades to make them safe to use and reduce the spread of kauri dieback. 

Waitākere Ranges Local Board Chair, Greg Presland advised “we know how important access to the tracks are to the people who live in the ranges as well as visitors who want to come and enjoy the area.

“Having safe, open tracks that people can use this summer is great news for all concerned and it is a testament to the hard mahi that the council is putting into this project to get the ranges opened up in a safe manner that significantly reduces the risk of spreading kauri dieback disease.

“It’s especially pleasing given lockdown stopped a lot of work across the country, that these tracks have been able to be opened.

“The board is looking forward to further track openings as time progresses and I hope that people are as delighted as we are that they can get out and use the tracks once again.”

Presland added that it is important for those exploring the re-opened tracks to stay on the upgraded open tracks, to use the hygiene stations and to make sure footwear and equipment is clean before leaving home.

The list of upgraded tracks in the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park in 19/20 are:

• White Track

• Jubilee Walk

• Mt Donald McLean Walk

• Spragg Bush Track

• McElwain Track

• Donald Mclean Track

• Karamatura Loop

• Karamatura Track

• Ahu Ahu Track

In addition, the following two tracks have been upgraded in the Waitākere Ranges Local Board area:

• Wood Bay reserve

• Seibel Scenic Reserve

Image courtesy of ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/