THE Department of Conservation has closed its King Country facilities until Monday in response to Cyclone Gabrielle.
Its offices, tracks, huts, campsites and visitor centres are also closed in Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay.
DOC’s deputy director-general organisation support Mike Tully said DOC’s priority during the storm was the wellbeing of staff, visitors, contactors and volunteers.
It was unclear in the days leading up to the storm how severe the impacts would be for the King Country and other parts of the country, with severe wind and rain watches issued at the weekend.
Mike said DOC staff across the country worked tirelessly before the cyclone hit to prepare and learn what its effects could mean for conservation land and those who use it.
DOC staff will need to carry out assessments on assets once the cyclone has passed the country, and this work will dictate when huts, campsites and tracks can be reopened to the public.
