March 21, 2023
Storm-toppled trees lifted from maunga
Auckland’s Tūpuna Maunga Authority has started removing fallen trees from Ōhinerau / Mt Hobson and TīTīkōpuke/Mt St John.
Chair Paul Majurey says a large mature pine tree has fallen on the Ōhinerau track, exposing a midden, and a large olive tree has fallen on TīTīkōpuke.
Independent arborists and geotechnical engineers have advised two other trees need to go from from Ōhinerau because they are overmature, in poor health, and are a health and safety risk.
Mr Majurey says slips and fallen trees have blocked access to track areas on the maunga for over 2 months limiting access for visitors and putting the maunga at risk of further damage.
The damage from the trees and slips serve as a reminder of the purpose of the authority and the work it is doing to preserve internationally significant archaeological sites.
A helicopter is being used for the job.