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The behaviour of some visitors to Tawharanui Regional Park is being called into question following multiple breaches of the park’s ‘no dogs or pets’ policy.
The 588-hectare park is home to numerous endangered species, including kiwi and the flightless takahe.
Dedicated volunteers work alongside Auckland Council rangers to restore forest and wetlands, reintroduce threatened species, monitor animals and plants, undertake pest control, and development of walking tracks.
However, Tawharanui Open Sanctuary Society (Tossi) chair Sally Richardson says she is disappointed at how disrespectful some people are.
“Just a few weeks ago, a ranger caught a car driving through the field where the takahe live,” Richardson says. “The birds actually had to scatter to avoid getting run over.
“We’ve had people with dogs and even cats on leads who have refused to leave, even when asked by senior rangers, and people arriving with fishing gear despite the fact that the park has a marine reserve stretching along its coastline.
“The rules are there for a reason, but some people are so entitled they feel like they can do whatever they like and the rules don’t apply to them.”
Richardson is calling for stronger penalties that can be enforced.
