An Auckland iwi's readying to unofficially ban people from the Waitakere Ranges - all for the good of the environment.

Kauri in the ranges are under threat from the kauri dieback disease which is killing the species. The ranges is the most infected in the country.

In order to save the trees, the local iwi, Te Kawerau a Maki, has placed a rahui over the forest that takes effect from Saturday.

The iwi's executive manager Edward Ashby said they won't be forcing people to keep out of the forest.

"What you won't see is any Kawerau a Maki reps standing at the entrances to the tracks. We won't be heavy handed about it."

However, they hope the public respect their decision and keep out of the 16,000 hectare forest and help kauri regenerate.

"We are essentially asking the public to respect rahui. That means staying out of the Waitakere forest so we're really focusing on the kauri ecology," Ashby said, adding that they need to allow the forest to regenerate.

Meanwhile, Auckland Council's solidifying a plan to tackle the disease next week.

General Manager of Parks, Sports and Recreation Mace Ward said the council supports the rahui in principle.

"We have a common goal to protect kauri as an iconic species for the Waitakere Ranges, but for us it's about balance and respect."