Auckland's Maunga Authority has decided to restrict car access to the summit of Maungawhau-Mount Eden by erecting automatic bollards.
Mount Eden Crater. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
The Authority, which governs Mangawhau, known also as Mount Eden, has secured $225,000 funding, most of which will be spent on revamping one of the car parks.
The Tūpuna Maunga o Tāmaki Makaurau Authority said $72,000 will go on automated bollards, which will be operated by an access code system.
Emergency services and people with mobility problems will be allowed to drive to the summit, and they will be able to get codes from the Auckland Council.
When these codes, which could be valid for either a day or a week, are entered, the bollards will lower.
Pedestrians and cyclists will have constant access.
The consents for the bollards will be applied for next month, and the devices themselves are expected to be put in place in the next few months.
The authority's chair Paul Majurey said the bulk of the budget, $152,000, will be spent on redeveloping the maunga's Puhi Huia car park.
He said it will mean better parking for visitors at the base of the maunga, and will also re-open the carpark exit onto Clive Road, which is currently blocked off.