16 July 2018 UPDATE to KAURI DIEBACK.\u00a0 Sadly, much of the Waitakere Ranges’s tracks are now closed under Biosecurity regulations.\u00a0 Some tracks are still open and The Aritaki Visitor Centre is where you can get THE BEST and most up to date\u00a0 information.\u00a0 \u00a0Check them out on https:\/\/www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz\/parks-recreation\/Pages\/park-details.aspx?Location=204.<\/p>\n
Luckily the walkway from Te Henga to Muriwai beach is still open, as are all the west coast beaches.\u00a0 There is still so much to see and do in our area!<\/p>\n
4 January 2018<\/p>\n
Kauri Dieback and Tracks in Waitakere Ranges \u00a0January 2017<\/b><\/p>\n
Kauri Dieback disease is affecting our Waitakere Ranges.\u00a0\u00a0I have compiled this blog with reference and thanks to many sources, in the hope that it will help our caring and discerning Guests who were hoping to come to us at Bush Sand and Sea B&B, and to explore our wonderful but sadly under threat Waitakere Ranges. \u00a0A R\u0101hui has been placed over the Waitakere Ranges in a bid to stop the spread of kauri dieback disease. In M\u0101ori culture, a r\u0101hui is a form of tapu restricting access to, or use of, an area or resource by unauthorised persons. For example Rahui are often used to manage coastal fisheries. \u00a0This means that visitors are not able to use most of the walking tracks in the Waitakere ranges.<\/span><\/p>\n
We still have a magnificent coastal walk available, part of the Hillary Trail, from Muriwai to Te Henga (Bethells Beach), approximately 4-5 hrs. \u00a0You can enjoy the wonderfully wild beach, a walk to Lake Wainamu and almost 1km of track on our own land which is all-weather with its boardwalk and 4 bridges. \u00a0On our track you can see some Kauri trees but we ask you to observe the shoe washing instructions and keep to the track.<\/span><\/p>\n
Our Kauri trees are one of Aotearoa’s unique taonga. But kauri dieback is threatening kauri with extinction. There is no cure for kauri dieback yet, and it can be spread by just a pinhead of soil. But kauri will be saved \u2013 by people like you. Our closest tracks are in the Cascades. \u00a0We, at Bush Sand and Sea B&B support the Rahui placed by Te Kaweraua a Maki in December. \u00a0Here is a great video in which our own Local, Rewi Spraggon, explains the reason for this unusual action.<\/span><\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/waitakererahui\/videos\/544001365961084\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand also support this position, as do many Organizations, Locals and private individuals. The \u00a0Waitakere Rahui Facebook page is:<\/span>https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/hashtag\/protectourkauri?source=feed_text<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
How to prevent the disease<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
If you’re looking for a bushwalk, choose somewhere that isn’t in the Wait\u0101kere Ranges. Here are some great walks in<\/span>
\n<\/span>south<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>central<\/span><\/a>and <\/span>north<\/span><\/a> Auckland. In general, you should always:<\/span><\/p>\n
As far as I am aware, if you are heading North after leaving us, you can still visit the fabulous <\/span>Tane Mahuta<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
FINALLY, Is the disease found overseas, and if so, what are the protection measures elsewhere?<\/span>
\n<\/span>\u201cThe disease has not been found overseas. However, many other countries have had to manage Phytophthora diseases, such as Phytophthora dieback of Jarrah trees in Australia, Sudden Oak Death in the US, etc.\u201d \u00a0ref.<\/span>https:\/\/www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz\/2017\/08\/10\/kauri-dieback-waitakere-ranges-expert-reaction\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n