Photo: NZ HeraldAuckland Council is to close all forested areas of the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park - the strongest move yet to stem the spread of kauri dieback in the region. The council said it would also close high-risk tracks in the Hunua Ranges Regional Park, on the southeast corner of Auckland, even though it is free of the disease. Officials told councillors that current measures were not working, and people are ignoring the rahui, or ban, that is in place. Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said kauri dieback was one of the most important issues the council faces. He said he did not want to have to explain to his grandkids that he didn't do anything to save a species like kauri.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 21, 2018 20:37 UTC