People caught flouting track closure notices in the Waitākere ranges could face court action as Auckland Council ramps up its work to prevent further kauri dieback.
Photo: RNZ / Joanna MacKenzie
About 30 officers are patrolling the park over Easter weekend and will issue trespass and bylaw notices if trampers break the rules.
Dozens of tracks the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park were closed, as well as nine in the Hunua ranges, which had so far been unaffected by the disease.
The council's regulatory compliance manager Steve Pearce said a lot of time had been spent on educating the public about kauri dieback in the last year.
This weekend the council's compliance team has been brought in to manage the enforcement of the rules.
"For the past year or so we've been relying on education and people doing the right thing. Most people are complying but we know there are a few out there who are choosing to ignore the closures.
"And, so, we're out here now finding those who are breaking the rules and we're going to take enforcement action if we find them."
Auckland Council's Steve Pearce, Karli Green and Ana Paskaleff. Photo: RNZ / Joanna MacKenzie
Mr Pearce's team had been in charge of the compliance of the track closures for about 6 days and there were things they could use to enforce the rules.
"We're working pretty closely with MPI [Ministry for Primary Industries] and that kind of broadens the suite of tools that we've got - things like trespass notices and by law notices.
"Under the bylaws you can be prosecuted and under the Biosecurity Act, under the controlled area notices around here you can be prosecuted or infringed."
Along the Waitākere Dam Track on Good Friday, Mr Pearce spent the day with compliance officers Ana Paskaleff and Karli Green who were talking with walkers to warn them about the closures.
They explained to trampers, including Aucklander Jamie Barter, Wilson Ong and Allie Buckley, why the tracks were closed and where walkers could go safely.
Mr Barter said they had checked the tracks before setting off and knew the Waitākere Dam was one of the few open, but he had learned a lot from talking with the council officers.
"You knew it was happening and you hear various reports of how bad it was, but this is probably the most I've learnt."
"[The closures] are obviously for the right reasons but it's quite eye opening really."
Auckland council offiers talk to trampers in the Waitakere Ranges. Photo: RNZ / Joanna MacKenzie
Ms Buckley said she felt the disease had become more common around the Auckland area but she had not seen anyone who was breaking the rules.
Tramper Gail Wray said she had noticed the arrival of kauria dieback disease in the area happening over a number of years.
"We're doing the best we can for these beautiful, beautiful trees."
Ms Wray had not seen anyone breaking the rules by going along closed tracks.
Mr Pearce said while the council had not caught anyone yet, they knew people were going along closed tracks.
"We have CCTV footage. Knowing how many people are going in and out and we also have track counters to know where people are going in and out of closed tracks."
