When I was invited to accompany Alistair Smith from DOC on an inspection of the new Okura Walkway track upgrade last Friday, I jumped at the chance. At this time of year, when the kowhais are flowering, sections of the track are covered in a carpet of golden flowers, and dozens of drunken tui serenade walkers as they pass by.…
Tag: DOC
Okura Bush Track Closed
In the August 31 North Shore Times: Department of Conservation launches track upgrades The Department of Conservation has started work on a track upgrade in Okura Bush they say will prevent the spread of kauri dieback. The walkway serves more than 60,000 visitors per year and will be closed for approximately 10 weeks while contractors work on the track. The…
Autumn 2016 Newsletter
FOOB and the Auckland Council Unitary Plan This summer a most pressing issue facing our fragile bush and its wildlife has occupied much of your executives time. On the northern boundary Weiti Station, at present a wilderness of exotic and invasive weeds has been approved as the site of at least 1200 houses. The fate of the green fields on…
Torbay Newsletter: Threatened Kauri under attack from DOC shortcuts
In the June 2016 Torbay Newsletter, page 11 : Threatened Kauri under attack from DOC shortcuts Friends of Okura Bush spokesperson Geoff Reid says: “We have witnessed destruction caused by contractors hired by DOC to build tracks in the past. Inadequate design, and lack of professional supervision has resulted in many tree deaths in this coastal gem”
Hibiscus Matters: Conservationists clash over kauri dieback protection
A report on FOOB’s opposition to DOC’s proposed use of Geoweb to repair the track is on page three of the June 1st Hibiscus Matters newspaper. Read the full article here: Conservationists clash over kauri dieback protection
Stuff: Kauri dieback solution upsets residents
On Stuff today: Kauri dieback solution upsets residents An Auckland advocacy group is shocked by plans to lay plastic on a popular walkway. Friends of Okura Bush has been campaigning for four years for a boardwalk track but the Conservation Department (DOC) plans to install geoweb; a strong plastic filled with bark and covered with gravel. Co-ordinator Geoff Reid was…
Threatened kauri under attack from DOC shortcuts
MEDIA RELEASE: The Department of Conservation (DOC) plans to go ahead with track building shortcuts that experts and locals say will increase pressure on kauri trees already at risk of kauri dieback, a deadly root infection. DOC is rolling out work in the upper North Island for 750kms of kauri forest tracks. The proposal in the Okura Forest Scenic Reserve, just south of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula,…
Track Assessment by Stephen King
At the Request of ‘Friends of Okura Bush’ I conducted a field inspection of the current track in March 2016 to assess issues and required improvements to ensure adequate protection of forest canopy trees. The inspection took place with Geoffrey and Lezette Reid and with a copy of currently proposed treatments supplied to them by the Department of Conservation.
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