Just one week into work to repair the popular Wairere Falls Track and the project is hitting roadblocks – because visitors keep ignoring the publicised closure.
The full track, car park, and toilets have been closed since 7 September to allow for critical safety and improvement work, with a planned full reopening by the end of November.
Department of Conservation Project Manager Gerald Mullen says he’s frustrated and concerned people are actively ignoring signage to access what is an active worksite.
“People are bypassing multiple signs and physical barriers, and turning up where our contractors are working. It’s a safety issue for both visitors and workers, and it’s already causing delays,” he says.
“The track is currently a construction site. Structures will be in various stages of construction which could be unsafe to a layperson, and we are very concerned people entering this site are in harm’s way.
Wairere Falls Track is popular naturing destination on the edge of Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park. Part of the track has been closed since mid-2025 due to rock instability. Current work will address safety issues, improve the overall experience, and allow a full reopening to the public.
Gerald says there’s not really any reason for anyone but residents and those working on the improvements to be on Goodwin Road.
“The toilets are closed, the car park is closed, the track is closed, and it’s not a through-road.
“We’re asking for a bit of patience from visitors. Give us two and a half months, and you’ll be back enjoying the falls, and in fact it will be even better than it was before.
“If people keep turning up, we can no longer promise this timeline as we’ll need to slow things down to keep people safe.”
NATURE LOOKS DIFFERENT FROM HERE
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