Te Henga Walkway slipTasman Lookout Track

Auckland Council are continuing to assess areas affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. As assessments are completed, or as areas are opened, they will update their website, so please make sure you visit Emergency Facility Closures page  before venturing into our regional parks
 
There is also a tracks open and closed map on the Auckland Council website, but thius is not always reliable and reported reopenings are not yet reflected in the map.
 

Waitakere Ranges Regional Park

Assessments completed to date have been allocating tracks to three categories

Category 1 - Mostly OK

Damage is relatively minor and able to repaired relatively quickly. Upgraded tracks have survived very well because of the significant effort on drainage - the current standard for culverts is now 200-300ml, as opposed to the 80-100mls standard of a few years ago - the old standard can no long handle these major rain events.
 
For example Omanawanui, Puriri Ridge are OK, with some work underway at present on the Karamatura.
 
Of note is that the Pararaha bridge has not been damaged, because it was built to the resource consent requirements of height above pootential flood levels.
 
Category 2 - Subject to Slips - Harder to Fix
Around 12 tracks in this category - generally coastal tracks - geotech assessments needed
These are harder to fix - require geotech assessment, design, resource consent, budget.
Includes Marawhara to White Track (engineer options already provided), lower part of Gibbons, lower part of Zion Hill, Ahuahu, Lake Wainamu, Kitekite
 
Category 3 - Subject to Major Slips - Will it be Feasible ?
Around 5 tracks in this category, including Laird Thompson and Tasman Lookout - geotech assessments needed
 
Track Upgrade Progress
  • Complete - Auckland City Walk, Fenceline, and Houghton tracks
  • Upper Kauri Track, Kuataika, Long Road and Maungaroa Lookout are well underway.
  • Zion Hill was also nearing completion however storm damage and slips to Karekare and Whatipu Roads have prevented access to the site and this project is likely to be put on hold.
  • Fairy Falls is at the final stage of sign off for procurement and is due to start works in April.
  • Parau-Panto has been put on hold due to constraints in budget availability for the next financial year.

Hunua Ranges Regional Park

Most tracks that were open before the storms are open again. There was significant damage to the Cossey Groge Track (now repaired and open again) and the southern part of the Wairoa Loop Track (currently a re-route is WIP, possible reopening mid May). Expect more treefalls than usual. Amazingly the Cosseys Creek crossing now has a bridge !

Work on the Wairoa Cossey track is reported as complete but it needs new signage, so until that is installed, the track remains closed. Hopefully it won't be long now before that reopens.

Good news is that the Hunua Kauri Dieback Survey is now underway with results possibly fully available by year end / early 2024. This will contribute to recommendations to be made within the Hunua Track Re-opening Plan (that is a bit delayed because of personal storm damage hindering some key Regional Parks managers being able to fulfil their normal duties)

For the future Auckland Council are looking to

  • Get the new Hunua Traverse (cycle track) open later this year
  • Re-open the track from Mangatangi Trig down to the Lower Mangatawhiri Valley
  • Re-enabling pedestrian access along Moumoukai Hill Rd to the Kohukohunui track
  • Possibly re-open Workman Track - subject to the Kauri Survey / Track Plan
  • Upgrade the toilets at the Upper Mangatawhiri carpark

Other Regional Parks and Local Parks

The best place for getting information is on the Auckland Council emergency information website as above.

There is significant damage to some walking tracks on the northern edge of Manukau Harbour and while these are being fixed, some are closed - check out the details at this website link

Reopening Plans 

The following have been reopened from April 1st:
  • Waitakere Ranges - Karamatura Loop, Karamatura Track, Donald McLean Track and Omanawanui. All council public open space in Southern Waitākere, from Armour Bay/Cornwallis through to Huia and Whatipu 
  • One way traffic controlled by lights between Titirangi village and the Filter Station roundabout; this is likely to remain for a while…
  • Exhibition Drive open to Shaw Road; lots of slumping on Manukau side and undercut in places but still plenty of road to navigate past 
  • Mackies Rest and Beveridge track can be accessed by the sealed continuation of Exhibition Drive which connects with Huia Rd
  • Te Rau Puriri - prawn farm area

Track Upgrades and Future Planning

This is a priority, delayed but possibly happening during the coming year. Public consultation is an important part of this, but does require funding to be available.
 

How Can We Help ?

For the moment we must all continue to be patient, respecting the challenges faced by the extensive damage to local communities and to the parks' supporting infrastructure, including roads.
What will likely become a volunteer option once tracks are open, is for groups to adopt a track or tracks with a regular commitment for clearing culverts - that is the most significant requirement for preventing track damage from future storm / heavy rain events
 

Thanks to Stu Leighton and Sarah Killick from Auckland Council for providing their updates (March 28th), Anna Roberts (April 3rd), also Our Auckland news on reopening plans.