Threatened Kauri under attack from DOC shortcuts
The Department of Conservation (DOC) plans to go ahead with track building shortcutsthat expertsand localssay will
increase pressure on Kauritrees already at risk by Kauri Dieback, a deadly root infection.DOC is rolling out work in the
upper North Island for 750kms of Kauriforest tracks. The proposal in the Okura Forest Scenic Reserve, just south of the
Whangaparaoa Peninsula, adds well below minimalamounts of board walking and proposed alternative methods will worsen the
plight of kauri rather than improve their future.
Boardwalks and wooden ramps keep people's feet off kauri and forest treesand have proven effective for 30 years. DOC
openly states that these are considered to be the “gold standard” for the protection of kauri. However, DOC is planning
to use a plastic web filled with bark and gravel ina marginally cheaper approach to protect kauri from kauri dieback.
Friends of Okura Bush spokesperson GeoffReid says, “We have witnesseddestruction caused by contractors hired byDOCto
build tracks in the past. Inadequate design, and lack of professional supervision resulted in many tree deaths for this
rare coastal gem. This is a department that is supposed to be looking after our natural heritage.”The design has to be
in line with ‘best practice' from the start. The public needs to have confidence in it. We represent the public and need
to be consulted.
Track construction for Okura Bush in 2011 has resulted in a massive spike in visitor numbers, DOCs records show from
9000 up to 70,000 walkers a year. It's not the visitor numbers that kill the trees, it's the substandard track design
and construction that'scaused scores ofancient treesto die. Now there are big holes in the formerly pristine canopy of
pre - European trees. Reid says hefears this will continue under ill-advised plans to upgrade tracks using unproven
methods.
Independent expert Stephen King advisesthat the gravel web system DOC intends for many North Island tracks are not the
right solution to protect kauri. It's actually a threat. Geoweb will worsen thesituation for future generations as kauri
roots grow into thegraveland once again become directly exposed to foot traffic where disease and stress place kauri at
risk. For kauri this is a ticking time bomb.
Boardwalks and ramps lift people's feet above the root layer allowing sensitive kauri roots to thrive undisturbed.
That's why they've proven to work for 30 years. That's why we need boardwalks and timber ramps to protect our
significant trees such as Kauri, Kahikatea, Matai, Taraire and Puriri.
Despite the work and time local community members volunteer to protect and enhance Okura Bush, Reid says they have been
left out of the decision making process and not consulted on the plans.
“We have sought foryears to get proper consultation but despite spending considerable time on promises of partnerships
DOC has proceeded unilaterally towards letting out a contract for an unsound plan that does not meetestablished best
practice forprotecting forests.”
Forest and Bird’s Nick Beveridge says "Issues raised by on the ground groups like Friends of Okura Bush show what is at
risk with the ongoing underfunding of the Department of Conservation. The Minister of Conservation needs to ensure that
the Budget 2016 includes additional new funding for DOC, so they can do their jobs properly. Otherwise, we put at risk
many of NZ’s loved and iconic species like the kauri."
We urgently need contracting processes to be immediately put on hold while DOC reviews its track upgrade plans and
undertakes proper consultation with communities who care about their forests to avoid mistakes of the past and the waste
of taxpayer funds. We acknowledge that DOC is committed to our forests and is underfunded but if they share their
problems then much better solutions will emerge.
ENDS