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Resolution number WTK/2017/124
MOVED
by Chairperson G Presland, seconded by Member S Coney:
That the
Waitākere Ranges Local Board:
a) receive
the “Kauri Dieback Report 2017: An
investigation into the distribution of kauri dieback, and implications for
its future management, within the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park”.
b) note
the reports key findings that:
i.
The Waitakere Ranges Regional Park (WRRP) now represents the
most heavily kauri dieback infected area currently recorded in New
Zealand.
ii.
The recorded distribution of kauri dieback in a kauri area has
increased from 7.9% infected and a further 2.7% possibly infected in 2011 to
18.95% infected and a further 4.65% possibly infected in 2016.
iii.
Of the distinct areas of kauri forest within the WRRP which are
above 5 hectares in size, 58.3% are exhibiting some degree of kauri dieback
infection symptoms.
iv.
The highest risk vector for Phytophthora Agathidicida movement
into new distinct locations is soil disturbance associated with human
activity e.g. visitor tracks, bait lines and informal routes.
v.
Compliance with hygiene requirements is very low and must
increase if we are to prevent kauri dieback spread.
c) urge Council
to:
i.
urgently upgrade Phytosanitary stations to the most effective
models available so that the spray bottle and brush station are superseded,
ii.
request more funding and resources from Central Government
because of the national significance of kauri both as a cultural taonga for
Maori and tau iwi and its conservation value as a keystone species that
supports hundreds of other species, it's international significance as it is
featured on the world list of endangered conifers; and because both local and
central government are obligated to uphold the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area
Act 2008,
iii.
provide adequate funding to increase maintenance and improve
drainage on tracks, and upgrade selected tracks to reduce possibility of
infection, bearing in mind the Regional Parks Management Plan has policies to
ensure that tracks on the Hillary Trail will not be substantially upgraded to
protect the values of the park,
iv.
give further consideration to track closures in consultation
with the WRLB and external stakeholders,
v.
urgently undertake a programme of education of park users to
encourage responsible behaviour and good stewardship of the park, including
compliance with hygiene measures and park codes such as staying on track.
d) seek
advice from officers on the risk of spreading kauri dieback through running
races and training and the desirability of rerouting tracks away from kauri
areas.
e) support
the urgent preparation of a Waitakere Ranges Regional Park Kauri Dieback
Management Plan.
CARRIED
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