DOC closing three Great Barrier Island tracks to protect kauri

Date:  13 December 2018

The closures are part of the 21 track closures announced by the Conservation Minister in October to help prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease.

“There’s currently no proven cure for kauri dieback and nearly all infected kauri die,” says GBI Operations Manager, George Taylor.

“Therefore, we are closing two tracks completely – the Whangaparapara Peak and Whangaparapara Pack tracks. The Old Lady Track will also be partially closed, and the open section of the track upgraded. Reasons behind the closures were primarily related to the exposure to kauri root systems and the risk of soil transfer.”

“The track closures are permanent and will be monitored for ongoing illegal visitor use,” says George Taylor.

“Closure of the tracks may be reconsidered in the future if new information becomes available that would ensure public access would not present any risks to our kauri,” says George Taylor.

The decision to close the tracks was made after a consultation process.  A small number of submissions were received. For updates on the track closures, contact the Aotea / Great Barrier Island Office.

About kauri dieback

Kauri dieback can kill kauri of all ages. It’s a disease caused by a microscopic fungus-like organism, called Phytophthora agathidicida (PA). It lives in the soil and infects kauri roots, damaging the tissues that carry nutrients and water within the tree, effectively starving it to death.

There is no cure for kauri dieback, and the disease kills most if not all the kauri it infects. It can be spread by just a pinhead of soil.

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