Cars will soon be banned from the summit of Auckland's Mt Eden, with disabled people and elderly allowed in through hi-tech gates.
Auckland Council's Maunga Authority rubber stamped the new restrictions last night out of concerns vehicles are causing erosion.
But chair Paul Majurey says a final vote is on hold while the total cost of the gates is tallied.
"With the approval of the budget, the vehicle-free tihi (peak) of Maungawhau Mt Eden on this important tupuna maunga will be implemented."
The gates are likely to cost ratepayers around $100,000.
"There is a series of measures that are the result of the staff working through with key organisations, including mobility folk within council and the community, understanding what is the best and practical measures," says Mr Majurey.
Tourist buses were banned from Mt Eden a few years ago.
Other Auckland peaks such as One Tree Hill, Mt Wellington and Mt Roskill may also get car bans in the future – it's up the Maunga Authority, which looks after 14 volcanic cones across the city, to decide.
3 News
source: newshub archive
