This update is our first in a series covering what’s been done and what’s to come in Auckland Council’s efforts to maintain and renew our extensive network of regional park tracks.
 

In the two years since the Auckland storms impacted 79 regional park tracks, Auckland Council rangers, engineers and contractors have made strong and steady progress to repair damage in all the hardest hit areas. Most tracks are safe once again for visitors to enjoy.

To the west, the landscape in the Waitākere Ranges and Muriwai regional parks was scarred with slips, tree and track damage. Bridges were washed away and ground stability issues presented a challenging list of complex and costly repair jobs.

Only a handful of tracks in West Auckland escaped unscathed (11 of the 60 forest and coastal walks that were open when the storms hit), requiring 49 tracks to close due to serious safety concerns. 

Thanks to the council’s continued recovery effort, the council’s western rangers have reopened 39 tracks in a relatively short timeframe and another five are partially open to visitors again.   

In the south, all 25 regional park tracks damaged when the storms swept through have now been restored and re-opened to visitors.

To the north, a handful of tracks closed as a result of storm damage but have now reopened, providing a total network of 54 tracks around northern regional parks to enjoy.   

The few remaining tracks in West Auckland that are still closed because of storm damage present the most challenging issues due to the scale and extent of damage that occurred, as detailed in the checklist below. 

Regional Parks Manager Scott De Silva says ongoing geotechnical investigation is needed at most of these sites to see whether significant, costly repair work is the best course of action.

“There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to ensure we manage track restoration in the best way possible, to increase resilience and keep the public safe,” says Scott.

“Tracks that remain closed are not safe – it is important that people stay off them. We have so many other options to choose from that you won’t run out of choices.”

Regional Parks continue to attract high visitor numbers, drawing more than 1 million people during January 2025.  

Kauri dieback remains an ongoing concern in our native forests and continues to require the careful management of tracks where there is a risk of this disease being spread. The council is working with Tiakina Kauri, iwi, local boards and interested communities to effectively manage the impacts of kauri dieback in multiple locations, most notably in the Waitākere Ranges and Hūnua Ranges regional parks.

In some areas, this calls for the need to minimise foot traffic to protect the environment by keeping tracks closed. In other areas, this will require more significant upgrades to allow people to return.

The Governing Body will consider Auckland’s Regional Parks track programme and associated funding in July 2025. Approval of the programme will enable council staff to undertake the work programme for 2025/26.

• Refer to our website for more information on projects in West Auckland regional parks.

• Look out for our next track update in October 2025.

Track checklist – as of May 2025

More information on the status of Auckland's regional park tracks is available via this PDF [69.8KB].

 Planning to visit an Auckland regional park?

• Check our map of walking tracks before leaving home, to see which tracks are open.

• Stay safe and keep our forests healthy. Closed tracks are unsafe or managing a biosecurity risk – please follow the instructions on signage and choose a track that is clearly marked as open.

• Be vigilant about using kauri dieback stations. Simple actions like cleaning footwear and gear before and after visiting will help us to continue to protect kauri.