Conservation
Walking near kauri: clean footwear properly at the track
Clean footwear and equipment properly around kauri, use every hygiene station and respect track closures and boardwalks.
Kauri dieback can move with contaminated soil on footwear and equipment. Cleaning is about stopping that soil travelling between places, not just making boots look tidy.
Start with clean equipment
Remove visible dirt from soles, tread grooves, walking-pole tips and anything else that touches the ground. Do this before entering kauri areas and again when leaving. Follow the instructions at every hygiene station, including the cleaning tools and disinfectant provided.
Keep the forest floor protected
Stay on the open formed track and use boardwalks. Respect closures even if a path still looks easy to follow. Do not step around a cleaning station or walk off track for a photograph. Clean footwear is not permission to enter a closed area.
Build it into packing and unpacking
- Inspect soles before putting footwear in the car.
- Keep dirty gear separate from clean equipment.
- Allow time at the track entrance for cleaning.
- Clean again before visiting another forest.
I would keep a dedicated brush with the outdoor gear so dried mud is dealt with before the next trip. Check the actual track page for access as well as hygiene requirements. Kauri protection applies to more than boots: poles, wheels and other soil-contact equipment can also move contamination.
Read next: How to clean and dry walking boots without damaging them.
Sources and photo credit
Information checked 29 September 2026.
Photo: Jack Craw. Original photograph; CC BY 4.0. Resized for web display.
