Park notices

Professional deer culling - 25 May to 30 June 2020

Posted 14/5/20

Greater Wellington Regional Council shall be carrying out deer culling in East Harbour Regional Park Northern Forest from 25 May to 30 June.

Hunters will be only hunting when weather conditions are conducive to hunting. No hunting will be undertaken on weekends, public holidays or school holidays. Hunting will on occasion be occurring at night.

Professional hunters with knowledge of the area and the skills required to operate in the sensitive environment are being employed by GWRC to hunt deer prone areas of the Northern Forest block for wild deer and signs of their presence.

Members of the public using the area are advised to stay on the main sign-posted walking tracks and keep dogs on leads. Warning signs are erected at all park entrances.

The culling is necessary to minimise the impact of deer on the ecological values of the forest, which has been identified as an area of high biodiversity value by GWRC’s Biodiversity department. Heavy browsing of favoured plant species by deer can eliminate individual native species from an area resulting in the loss of diversity and functionality of the forest ecosystem. Reducing wild deer numbers will assist GWRC in their efforts towards restoring the native ecosystem functions of the Northern Forest.

Lighthouse complex update

Posted 10/3/20

The lighthouse complex area is open to the public. Building work is still underway so please take care.