Auckland Council has met with the Conservation Minister over the possibility of imposing a Controlled Area Notice in parts of the ranges. (Photo \ Alex Mason)

Fresh hope for those trying to save Waitakere Ranges

Author: Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2018, 5:23am

There may be fresh hope for those fighting to save Kauri in Auckland's Waitakere Ranges.

Auckland Council has met with the Conservation Minister over the possibility of imposing a Controlled Area Notice in parts of the ranges.

If it goes ahead, those who ignore track closures could be fined.

While it's early days, Friends of Regional Parks' Bronwen Turner said talks of the notice are another step forward to blocking the public from at-risk areas.

"Either we don't want them there because they will spread the disease, take it out with them, or we don't want them there because they might take the disease in and affect healthy kauri."

She said it will show officials are serious.

"It really lets people know both council and government are serious about people not being here because of the risk of spreading disease. So it really brings some teeth into that and backing up the rahui."

Details around the notice are yet to be decided.

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