Public Asked to Stay off Walkway During Lambing

The Department of Conservation has asked members of the public to refrain from walking the Mangawhai Walkway while lambing season is on.

Whangarei Area Office visitor services officer Lynnell Greer said the walkway, which passes over private land, has always been closed during this period although there have been several incidents lately where people have failed to obey this rule.

“We must respect the local landowner’s right to have the walkway closed while his sheep are lambing as it is private property and.”

“We ask the public to seek alternative places for walking over this period that runs from July 1 until September 30,” Ms Greer said.

“It would be a shame if access to this walkway was threatened by people’s inability to respect this condition, “ she added.

Ms Greer said DoC would be placing flyers in the windows of local shops and notices in local newsletters to ensure all homeowners and visitors were aware of the walkway’s closure. There are already signs at the start of the track that people must pass in order to get onto the farmer’s land.

“There is no reason for anyone to be on the walkway without knowing it is closed as there are signs there that explain the reasons and duration of the closure,” she said.

Ms Greer has also asked people to refrain from paragliding off the walkway or attempting to land on closed sections of the walkway as there have been a couple of incidents where stock have been scared off the bluffs.

Ms Greer said anyone wanting more information about the track or alternative places to walk can contact the DoC Whangarei Area Office on (09) 430 2133

For more information please contact Lynnell Greer on (09) 430 2133

© Scoop Media