in 1964. The Authority completed the water supply development and continued the exotic afforestation on some of the north and western catchment land, started by the City Council, and its Water Department administered the land. The water operation was corporatised as Watercare Services in 1992, but the land itself remained with the Auckland Regional Council (as it was by then). Watercare took ownership of the water related assets and took a long term lease from the Auckland Regional Council of the reservoir areas and the operational areas. The exotic forestry land was also leased to another party. The catchment land became regional park land. 21st century In November 2010, the southernmost part of the Hunua Ranges were transferred to Waikato region. This determines the local government administrative boundaries, but the ownership of the former Auckland Regional Council park land went to the Auckland Council and that of the water assets is unchanged with Watercare Services. Extensive flooding in the Hunua Ranges in March 2017 cut off roads. People staying on the ranges had to be evacuated. In May 2018, parts of the park were closed to stop the spread of Kauri dieback. Some of the tracks reopened in late 2020. In September and October 2018, the entire park was closed during a 1080 pest control programme. The programme was subject to an unsuccessful legal challenge. Recreation Activities in the regional park include walking, mountain-biking, bird-watching and drone-flying. References Mountains of the Auckland Region Mountain ranges of Waikato Mountain ranges of New Zealand Parks in the Auckland Region Regional parks of New Zealand Franklin Local Board Area Firth of Thames