The Domain Board has asked Horowhenua District Council - which acts as agent for the Domain Board in maintenance and security matters - to remove any locks put on the gates to Muaūpoko Park and Lake Horowhenua, DoC said.
"The Domain Board manages public access to the reserve and has not authorised Phil Taueki to lock the access gate at Muaūpoko Park.
"He has locked the same gate in the past and the Domain Board have previously reminded Mr Taueki that he is not authorised to lock the gates and have had the padlocks removed," said Reg Kemper, DOC Lower North Island Director of Operations.
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Kemper said DoC's only role in relation to Lake Horowhenua and Muaūpoko Park is as chair of the Lake Domain Board. As the domain is not conservation land, DoC itself will take no action against Mr Taueki.