A popular local walking track in the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park has reopened — with three more to follow in the coming months.
The first to reopen, the Zig Zag track linked Titirangi Beach Rd to the beach below, was closed following extreme weather events in 2023.
Auckland Council said the path had undergone “significant upgrades to improve drainage, stabilise the path, and protect the surrounding ngahere [bush].”
Councillor Ken Turner of the parks committee said the reopening was “a welcome milestone” for the community.
“Our communities have been patient, and it’s great to be able to share the news that more tracks are on the way, with Smyth Ridge, Kuataika and Zion Hill all set to reopen in the coming months.”
These three tracks had been closed since 2017 to help prevent the spread of kauri dieback and for an upgrade to dry-foot standards, reducing the risk of disease transmission.
Auckland Council had an ongoing programme to reopen tracks across the Waitākere Ranges with stronger safeguards to protect kauri and provide better experiences for walkers.
Auckland Council’s manager of regional parks, Scott De Silva, said the upgrades were “careful, complex work”.
“Restoring tracks like Zig Zag isn’t as simple as clearing a path. Our contractors and rangers work around steep terrain, mature native trees, and ongoing flood damage — all while protecting the sensitive ecology of the area,” he said.
Edward Ashby, chief executive of Te Kawerau Iwi Tiaki Trust, acknowledged the importance of the ngahere being protected and respected as access was restored to Waitākere Ranges tracks.
“We support the reopening of these tracks in a way that safeguards the health of the whenua and kauri. This land carries deep cultural significance, and we appreciate the partnership approach with Auckland Council to managing its future,” said Ashby.
Smyth Ridge Track and Kuataika Track, which connected Anawhata Beach Track to Long Road track, were set to reopen in September. Work on the Zion Hill track in Karekare was due to be completed this spring.
