Auckland Council is continuing to progress an extensive predator control operation in Te Ngāherehere o Kohukohunui / the Hūnua Ranges Regional Park this week and through to the weekend, meaning the park remains closed.
The operation covers more than 23,000 hectares of native forest across Te Ngāherehere o Kohukohunui / Hūnua Ranges parkland, neighbouring Department of Conservation (DOC) administered land reserves, and some private land.
It involves the aerial distribution of bait containing sodium fluoroacetate (commonly known as 1080), a targeted toxin effective against mammalian pests while minimising the impact on native birds and insects.
To ensure public safety and environmental protection Te Ngāherehere o Kohukohunui / Hūnua Ranges, Waharau, and Whakatiwai, along with tracks within DOC’s managed Mangatawhiri and Vining reserves remain closed to the public until further notice.
Council says the public should not enter Hūnua Ranges Regional Park as there is a risk to people and pets from this operation.
Auckland Council Manager Regional Parks, Scott De Silva says that the council is working closely with the National Public Health Service – Northern Region Auckland to ensure health and safety is at the forefront of all decision-making.
“We’re prioritising health and safety in all aspects of the operation. Our staff have focused on clearing bait off public tracks in the park, and we are hopeful that rainfall forecast for this weekend will assist with breaking down and removing any remaining bait, but we won’t be taking any shortcuts before re-opening these areas,” says Mr De Silva.
“We understand that this delayed reopening of the park might be disappointing to some, but we cannot take any chances with such a large pest control operation, and we will only re-open the park when we, alongside our public health colleagues, deem it safe to do so.”
“The Hūnua Ranges Regional Park is the largest area of native forest in Tāmaki Makaurau and it’s important that we continue to protect it for future generations. Thank you to our communities, park users, those living nearby and those further afield who love the Hūnua Ranges Regional Park and who are being patient with us, as we undertake this significant operation – we appreciate it.”
