The final decision on whether or not cars can drive up Maungawhau / Mt Eden has been made.
Tūpuna Maunga o Tāmaki Makaurau Authority says the summit will become "vehicle-free" from next Wednesday. This will apply to all motor vehicles, including motorbikes and scooters.
Tūpuna Maunga Authority chair Paul Majurey says the decision will respect the "spiritual and cultural significance of the tihi to Mana Whenua as well as community aspirations reflected in the 2007 Maungawhau/Mt Eden management plan".
Heavy vehicles were banned from the popular tourist attraction in 2011.
"Motor vehicle restriction on the tihi of Maungawhau was signalled many years ago as a key measure to protect this taonga, and to reflect the Mana Whenua and community aspirations of their living connections with this taonga," he says.
"It is very pleasing to have reached this point."
People who have limited ability and cannot walk to the summit can now obtain a keypad access code to lower the bollards at the entrance to the summit road and drive to the summit in their vehicle.
Visitors will be able to obtain an access code on the day of their visit by calling Auckland Council and providing their total mobility scheme or mobility parking permit number.
Pedestrians and cyclists will continue to have unrestricted use of the road.
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