Walking, running or tramping

Here’s how to protect Kauri when you’re walking, running or tramping in a Kauri forest:

• Clean your footwear, hiking poles, dog paws, and all gear that will touch the forest floor, so it is dirt-free before you enter and before you leave the forest.*

• Stay on established boardwalks, or gravel tracks, or gravel roads, so you are not touching the forest floor.

• Use all hygiene stations you come across to clean your footwear and gear.**

• Respect track closures and rāhui (protective restrictions).

*If you go off-track and don’t clean these items, you could receive an infringement notice and fine, or a criminal conviction, according to rule 8 of the National Plan for the protection of Kauri.

**If you don’t use hygiene stations, you could receive an infringement notice and fine, or a criminal conviction, according to rule 9 of the National Plan for the protection of Kauri.

Going off-track endangers Kauri

If you don’t stay on established tracks in a Kauri forest, there is a higher risk you could spread the PA pathogen, so you must carry your own hygiene kit and follow best-practice protocols.

For details, see the Kauri Ora: Hygiene Principles guide.

The National Plan for the protection of Kauri

In August 2022, a National Plan was launched to help protect Kauri from the PA pathogen. The National Plan includes 10 rules that apply to anyone who goes into Kauri forests, grows Kauri, or lives or works around Kauri.