Just a week into a major upgrade of the popular Wairere Falls Track, Department of Conservation staff say visitors ignoring the closure are causing delays and serious safety risks.

The track, carpark and toilets have been closed since September 7 for critical repairs and improvements. Work is scheduled to continue until the end of November.

However, DoC project manager Gerald Mullen said in a media release that people were bypassing signs and barriers to enter what’s now an active construction site.

“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,” Mullen said.

“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, on the edge of Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park, is one of the region’s most popular walking destinations. Part of the track has been closed since mid-2025 because of rock instability.

The project is designed to address safety concerns, improve visitor facilities and allow the entire track to reopen.

Mullen said there’s little reason for anyone other than residents and workers involved in the project to be on Goodwin Rd during the closure.

The popular Wairere Falls Track remains closed until November, but some visitors are continuing to access the active construction zone. Photo / DoC

“The toilets are closed, the carpark is closed, the track is closed, and it’s not a through-road.”

He is urging visitors to be patient while the work is completed.

“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.”

Mullen said if people continue entering the worksite, DoC may be forced to slow the project to keep everyone safe.

“If people keep turning up, we can no longer promise this timeline as we’ll need to slow things down to keep people safe.”

The track is expected to fully reopen by the end of November.