Taheke Waterfall Track is the first of 200 tracks (through DOC reserves with kauri stands) which will be upgraded as part of the Kauri Dieback Recreation Project.
Taheke Scenic Reserve will be closed while contractors complete the upgrade, in order to meet hygiene requirements and for the protection of the public and the kauri. The reserve should reopen before spring.
The team after the official closing of the track.
A range of work will be done on the Taheke track to mitigate the risk of kauri dieback. The upgrade work includes installing boardwalks and geowebs to make wet and muddy sections of track dry and mud-free. Geowebs are plastic, honeycomb-like cells filled with lightly compacted bark chunks and gravel, then covered with surfacing gravel which allows the roots to grow freely.
Some sections of the Taheke track will be re-routed, and steps will also be installed.
“I’m thrilled to announce that we’re beginning this work to help safeguard our kauri in Northland,” said DOC Northern North Island Operations Director, Sue Reed-Thomas.
“There’s no kauri dieback in the Taheke Scenic Reserve. But there are kauri with the disease in the region so we need to complete this upgrade to keep the Taheke kauri safe.”
“We’ve worked closely with local DOC staff, community conservation groups and local iwi to develop upgrade plans that will be effective for each of the 200 tracks we’re upgrading.”
After the official closing of the reserve, the team enjoyed kauri cookies, along with Conservation Board members, contractors, past project leaders Chris Jenkins and Shana Harding, and community and council reps.
Similar events are planned to mark the start of work in each region.
Kauri Cookies!
Kauri dieback is a fungus-like disease specific to New Zealand kauri and can kill trees of all ages. More information about the disease and how to stop it spreading can be found on the Keep Kauri Standing website.
