2 days ago
Tasman deluge cuts off access points to national park
A slip on the Abel Tasman Coastal Track between Mārahau and Anchorage.
Photo:
Department of Conservation / supplied
Some access points to the largest national park in Tasman could be cut off for some time, the Department of Conservation (DOC) says
Slips and storm damage has cut off access to the Kahurangi National Park, and part of the Abel Tasman Coast Track is temporarily closed.
DOC Motueka operations manager Chris Golding told Midday Report it will take time to understand the full extent of damage across conservation areas and facilities.
He said he could not offer a timeline on how long parts of Kahurangi will be cut off.
But he added that it was quieter in winter, and DOC hoped the Abel Tasman track would be fully up and running by the warmer months.
"The Abel Tasman, which is a pretty popular place, has a few slips and a few issues with one of the bridges, but largely the Abel Tasman is open for business, one section of the track is closed, but most of the park is still fine."
But he said it was still important to note that the ground throughout the district was still very water-logged
"So even when we have been through a track to check it, it could still be slips or trees coming at a later date. And it won't take much more rain for more of those slips to be coming down."
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