Kaiwaka's new bush boardwalk protects kauri

JULIA WADE

Standing in close-up awe of magnificent kauri has become harder in recent years with the spread of the crippling dieback disease, however thanks to a new pathway local wanderers can now meander under the serene, green canopy of a nearby native forest.

Located next to Kaiwaka’s Sports Complex off Gibbons Road, the 1.5 metre wide boardwalk complete with viewing platforms and seating was opened to the public in early February. The project was funded by a Ministry of Primary Industries agency, Tiakina Kauri, which supports regional councils with programmes for track upgrades, fencing and animal pest control.

Kaiwaka Domain borders the sports ground and outdoor fitness trail and is home to a significant number of kauri, and Northland Regional Council’s biosecurity kauri protection spokesperson Chris Beard says the boardwalks are an important and effective feature in protecting the giant native trees from ‘phytophthora agathidicida’ (PA) aka kauri dieback.

He says one of the main ways to minimise further infection is to upgrade tracks and construct boardwalks to keep people’s feet from treading across the tree root systems.

“Kauri are most at risk during warm periods when soil is moist as the organism is at its most active during these conditions,” says Beard.

“Cross infection occurs from a number of sources, including people transferring from one tree to another by contaminated soil on their shoes, so it is important for walkers to get into the habit of scrubbing shoes and disinfecting when entering kaurilands.

“There are a number of Kaiwaka kauri which have tested positive with the disease and this is why an area such as Kaiwaka Domain and Kauri Bushwalk, with its stand of accessible kauri, is important to protect.”

Thanks to a new pathway local wanderers can now meander under the serene, green canopy of a nearby native forest. PHOTO/JULIA WADE