Kauri Dieback
Kauri dieback is a disease caused by a microscopic fungus-like organism, called Phytophthora agathidicida (PA). This fungus lives in the soil and infects kauri roots, damaging the tissues that carry nutrients and water within the tree, effectively starving it to death.
Visiting areas with healthy kauri trees
Clean your footwear, tyres and equipment before and after visiting our kauri forests. If you are walking your dog, you should also make sure you clean their paws.
Use cleaning stations every time you pass one while you are walking in a park.
Stay on the tracks and keep off kauri roots.
Stay away from closed tracks.
Don't remove soil from, or bring soil into, areas with kauri trees.
Local Attitudes to Kauri Deiback Research Findings Released
A study by Massey-Scion researchers Andrea Grant and Nicole Lindsay looked into compliance with kauri dieback interventions, comparing attitudes of local Titirangi residents with visitors to the native forest in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park. The study is part of the broader Biological Heritage research being conducted as part of the National Science Challenges.
Their findings were discussed by a small focus group of Waitakere Ranges residents organized by FOR Parks with the researchers in December 2023 and presented to Auckland Council staff at the same time. A key recommendation of the study is to create strategies such as kauri dieback interventions in collaboration with local communities.
The researchers describe the study thus:
The iconic kauri tree of New Zealand is under increasing threat because of the plant disease kauri dieback, with human activity thought to be a high-risk vector for spreading the fungus-like pathogen. Although kauri protection measures have been introduced, concern exists over a lack of public compliance including among those who live near or in infected areas. A Scion-Massey study investigated the barriers and enablers of compliance with current kauri dieback interventions, such as staying on designated tracks and boot cleaning. Initial interviews were conducted with 21 members of the public living in a locale heavily impacted by kauri dieback (Titirangi, West Auckland). Several issues were identified, centred around themes of system knowledge (the science of kauri dieback), feelings of uncertainty and issues of trust. These themes were further investigated via a survey of 472 forest users in the same and other kauri forested areas. Significant relationships between uncertainty, trust and compliance behaviours were found, with key differences between local residents and visitors. Although there were no significant differences between locals and visitors in terms of overall compliance with interventions, the reasons for compliance/noncompliance differed. For visitors, gender, age and uncertainty played a role. For local residents, institutional and scientific trust was the only significant predictor of compliance behaviours. Understanding the social, emotional and practical impact of any introduced intervention is key, especially when uncertainty is high. We recommend cultivating and maintaining public trust in scientific and resource management authorities through collaborative co-design with local communities.
Further information can be found at: https://www.mobilisingforaction.nz/research-ra2-2
Findings from Kauri Health Monitoring Survey 2021
Auckland Council has released the findings of the surveillance and monitoring framework which was updated to further understand and manage the spread of kauri dieback disease. Council developed a new long-term kauri health monitoring framework using an epidemiological approach, which formed the basis for the 2021 Waitākere Ranges Monitoring Survey. FOR Parks encourages members to read the full report, which you can find by clicking here:
2021 Waitākere Ranges kauri population health monitoring survey - Knowledge Auckland
For the chapter on the Findings click here:
2021 Waitākere Ranges Kauri Population Health Monitoring Survey
Auckland Council Strategy for Kauri dieback:
Track closures
Regional Pest Management Plan - not moving kauri plants or plant material, hygiene stations
Surveillance - monitoring kauri dieback locations
Research (grants)
Additional References
Myrtle Rust
Myrtle rust is a plant disease caused by the fungus Austropuccinia psidii. It produces powder-like spores that can be easily spread through direct contact or by the wind. It destroys new growth and soft tissues, eventually killing the plant.
Myrtle rust can infect hundreds of species in the plant family Myrtaceae, such as native mānuka, pōhutukawa, rātā and kānuka, and exotic species such as feijoa, bottlebrush, gum, guava, willow myrtle, lilly pilly (monkey apple) and brush cherry (Syzygium spp).
Reports and Publications
Found myrtle rust in your yard, local park or region? Report it using the Myrtle Rust Reporter tool - web or app based.
