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Auckland Council continues to progress an extensive predator control operation in Te Ngāherehere o Kohukohunui / the Hūnua Ranges Regional Park this week and through to the weekend, meaning the park remains closed. The operation covers more than 23,000 hectares of native forest across its parkland, neighbouring Department of Conservation (DoC) administered land reserves, and some private land. It involves the aerial distribution of bait containing sodium fluoroacetate (commonly known as 1080), a targeted toxin effective against mammalian pests while minimising the impact on native birds and insects. To ensure public safety and environmental protection, Te Ngāherehere o Kohukohunui / Hūnua Ranges, Waharau, and Whakatiwai, along with tracks within DoC’s managed Mangatawhiri and Vining reserves remain closed to the public until further notice. The public should not enter Hūnua Ranges Regional Park as there is a risk to people and pets from the operation. The council will update park users as soon as all the tracks have been cleared and checked and the park is ready to reopen. Auckland Council manager regional parks Scott De Silva says that the council is working closely with the National Public Health Service – Northern Region Auckland to ensure health and safety is at the forefront of all decision-making. “We’re prioritising health and safety in all aspects of the operation. Our staff have focused on clearing bait off public tracks in the park, and we are hopeful that rainfall forecast for this weekend will assist with breaking down and removing any remaining bait, but we won’t be taking any shortcuts before re-opening these areas. “We understand this delayed reopening of the park might be disappointing to some, but we cannot take any chances with such a large pest control operation, and we will only re-open the park when we, alongside our public health colleagues, deem it safe to do so. “The Hūnua Ranges Regional Park is the largest area of native forest in Tāmaki Makaurau and it’s important that we continue to protect it for future generations. “Thank you to our communities, park users, those living nearby and those further afield who love the Hūnua Ranges Regional Park and who are being patient with us, as we undertake this significant operation – we appreciate it.” While track closures and caution periods may inconvenience some visitors, the operation plays a vital role in safeguarding the ecological health of the forest and ensuring species like the kokako continue to thrive in Te Ngāherehere o Kohukohunui / Hūnua Ranges. Special precautions have been implemented around water supplies, reflecting the operation’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Reservoirs in the initial treatment block were isolated from the public water system prior to bait deployment and will only be reconnected after rigorous monitoring confirms no detectable traces of 1080 through consecutive clean samples. Additional safeguards include designated exclusion zones around reservoirs and strict no-fly rules over these areas during application. Once the operation concludes, visitors are urged to heed all informational and warning signage in the parks and reserves. The toxin 1080 is particularly hazardous to dogs and young children, who may encounter poisoned carcasses or bait remnants. Dog owners should refrain from bringing pets into the parkland until the caution period ends, typically for a minimum of six months, and all warning signs are removed. For dog safety, it is important dogs are closely supervised to ensure they do not enter the operational area being treated or scavenge carcasses that may have come from the operational area following the operation. If you must walk your dog near the operational area, keep it on a leash, stay on tracks/roads and ensure it is well fed and hydrated.
