Source: Department of Conservation
Date: 06 October 2023
The Wharawhara Track and areas within immediate proximity of the site were temporarily closed and a rāhui was imposed in July when Phytophthora agathidicida (PA), the pathogen that causes kauri disease, was detected during routine soil sampling.
DOC Operations Manager Zane Jensen said restricting access protected kauri by limiting any possible spread of the pathogen while wider sampling across the site was complete.
“We all have a role to play in protecting these Rakau Rangatira,” says Zane.
“We’re pleased sampling did not re-detect the pathogen that causes kauri disease, so we can now look forward to re-opening areas within the site.
DOC staff will assess track condition and make sure they are safe for visitors to use.
“We will update our website as tracks re-open between now and 29 October. Until then they will stay closed.”
“If track conditions aren’t safe for visitors, or re-opening would pose further risk to kauri, they will stay closed for further maintenance to bring them up to standard.
“We’ll continue collaborating with mana whenua, Tiakina Kauri, and other agencies to monitor and protect kauri.”
Mana whenua liaison Carlton Bidois said further sampling work and new infrastructure was needed to lower the risk of visitors transferring the pathogen to kauri.
“Mana whenua will continue to assess the merits of lifting rāhui against the backdrop of risk management options moving forward.”
DOC, in partnership with mana whenua, have made the call to have two tracks, (Wharawhara Tramway Track and Te Rereatukahia Hut Track), remain closed for approximately 6 months for additional sampling in suitable conditions.
Visitors to re-opened tracks are reminded to stay on tracks, arrive clean, and leave clean to avoid spreading the PA pathogen.
Te whakatuwheratanga o ngā ara i te Kaimai
Kei te aromatawaitia e Te Papa Atawhai ngā ara kua rāhuitia i roto i te ngahere o Kaimai Mamaku. Ko te whāinga kia nahanaha ai te whakatuwhera i ētahi o ngā ara i te marama e heke mai nei.
I te Hūrae rāhuitia ai te takiwā e karapoti ana i te ara o Te Wharawhara, nā te kitenga o te tukumate kauri e kīa nei ko te Phytophthora agathidicida (PA), i roto i tētahi tīpakonga one hātepe.
E ai ki a Zane Jensen, pou matarautaki ki Te Papa Atawhai, he rautaki parahau te rāhui e haumaru ai ngā kauri i te horapa o te tukumate, kia tīpakohia whānuitia te one i te ngahere.
“Nā tātou katoa te haepapa ki te tiaki i ēnei rākau hirahira”, te kī a Zane.
“E matakuikui ana mātou kāore i kitea anō te tukumate i roto i ētahi atu tīpakonga one, nā konā e taea ai te aro ki te whakatuwhera i te ngahere.”
Ka aromatawaitia ngā ara e ngā kaimahi o Te Papa Atawhai, kia whakatauria mēnā he marutau mō te marea.
“Ka whakahoungia tā mātou pae tukutuku ina tuwhera ai ētahi ara i te marama o Oketopa.”
“Mēnā kāore ngā ara e marutau mō te marea, mēnā rānei ka tūraru ngā kauri ki te whakatuwhera, ka kati tonu ēnā ara kia oti pai ngā mahi whakawhanake.”
“Ka mahi tahi tonu mātou ko ngā iwi mana whenua, ko Tiakina Kauri, ko ētahi atu roopu hoki ki te aroturuki, ki te manaaki i ngā kauri.”
Ka kati tonu ēnei ara e rua, Wharawhara Tramway Track me Te Rereatukahia Hut Track, mo ngā marama e ono, kia tīpakohia anō te one i ngā marama mahana.
Hei manatu ki ngā manuhiri, piri ki ngā ara, horoia o hū me ō taputapu i mua i tō kuhunga i te ngahere, i tō wehenga hoki, koi horapa te tukumate.
