Hunua Ranges Regional Park Tracks Closed For Goat Control
24 January 2007

During February Auckland Regional Council will close several tracks in the Hunua Ranges Regional Park for goat control operations.

The track closures relating to goat control will not affect the Hunua Ranges Regional Park’s most popular walking track around Hunua Falls. This will remain open and visitors are welcome. The Lower Mangatawhiri mountain bike and horse riding tracks will be affected in the period 1 - 9 February 2007.

The following tracks and campsites will be closed from 1 - 9 February: Pukapuka Track, Lilburne Road Track, Mangatangi Trig Track, Lower Mangatawhiri Track, Mangatangi Hill Road, Graeme White Rd, Moumoukai Valley Rd, Manning Rd, Repeater Road, Plows Road, Mine Road (access to Kohukohunui Track, all mountain bike tracks, all horse riding tracks, Wairoa Loop Track, Suspension Bridge Track, Wairoa-Cosseys Track, all Waytemore Forest, the Upper and Lower Mangatawhiri campsites and Pigotts campsite.

Between 12 - 19 February the following tracks and campsites will be closed: Mine Road and onto Mine Road Track, Kohukohunui Track, Upper Mangatawhiri Track, Kohukohunui Trig Track, Lilburne Road Track, Rata Ridge Track, Ernies Track, Challenge Track, Waterline Road, Mangatangi Ridge Track, Waharau Ridge Track, Upper Link Track, Lower Link Track, Adams Lookout campsite and Piggotts camp site.

Between 20 - 28 February: Lilburne Road Track, Mangatangi Hill Road (Pukapuka Track to Mangatangi Dam), Pukapuka Track, Mangatangi Trig Track (Pukapuka Track to Workman Road), Workman Road (Park boundary to Mangatangi Dam), Workman Track, Whakatiwai Ridge Track, Waharau Ridge Track, Ernies Track, Mangatangi Ridge Track, Rata Ridge Track, Piggotts and Workman camp sites.

All tracks will be open for recreational use on weekends and public holidays. Signs will be placed at all track entry points including car parks and arrival zones to inform visitors about temporary closure of tracks and campsites, including restrictions on recreational hunting.

ARC Biosecurity Team Leader Dave Galloway says the areas are being targeted for their high conservation value, which is potentially under threat from wild goats and possums.

“Last year we removed over 700 goats from the park and adjoining farms – which means the forest has had a much better chance of recovery than would have been the case. ARC feral goat control is entering a more intensive phase in the Hunua area.”

Mr Galloway says although possums are the foremost animal pest in Hunua Ranges Regional Park, goats come a close second. Possum and goat control is an essential part of improving the biodiversity of the Hunua Ranges Regional Park. Last year, for the first time, ARC goat control extended to private farmland adjoining the regional park, in order to prevent goats from entering the park.

Anyone wanting further information on the pest control operations in Hunua Ranges Regional Park should call the Auckland Regional Council on 09 366 2000.

ENDS

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