December 04, 2014
Maungawhau car ban sign of respect
A member of Tupuna Maunga o Tamaki Makaurau Authority says closing the summit of Maungawhau-Mt Eden to cars is long overdue.
Ngarimu Blair from Ngati Whatua says the decision to ban cars from next April shows the maunga authority is not just there to hui.
He says there has been a call from decades from iwi, members of the public and care groups like the Volcanic Cones Protection Society to stop people driving on the fragile mountains.
He says once people get over the shock of having to walk 200 metres, they will find the experience in enhanced.
"First and foremost it is about heving reverence for the maunga. Where else across the country do you get to drive on top of a sacred mountain, open a box of beers, have a cigarette, eat your takeaways and thendrive off again. It doesn't do much for respect for the mountain," Mr Blair says.
He says there are major issues with safety of pedestrians both in the car park at the top of the hill and on the narrow road going up.
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