Second Symposium on managing Kauri Dieback Disease

Media release
Friday, 16 January 2015

Second Symposium on managing Kauri Dieback Disease

Everyone interested in protecting kauri are invited to attend the second Symposium on kauri dieback disease (Phytophthora taxon Agathis or PTA), which can kill kauri of all ages and sizes.

“We held our first Kauri Dieback Symposium in 2013 to encourage open discussions about this disease, the current research and efforts to reduce the disease spreading,” says Kauri Dieback Programme Leadership Chair, Erik van Eyndhoven.

“This Symposium will provide a number of inspirational talks from iwi, scientists, landowners and community groups, on their perspectives on the importance of kauri, the threat faced from kauri dieback and what they’re doing to manage it.”

Dr Nari Williams, science leader for the Healthy trees, healthy future; enabling technologies to combat Phytophthora diseases, says “This event, hosted by the Kauri Dieback Programme, SCION, Plant and Food Research, Landcare and Bio Protection will showcase what our scientists and new flush of graduate students are bringing to the programme. It is an exciting way for scientists to engage with iwi, land owners and communities to discuss how our research aims to support kauri dieback management, now and into the future.”

Come and hear more about what is happening and what it will mean for the protection of kauri and other key plant species nationally at the second Kauri Dieback Symposium being held at the Copthorne Hotel and Resort, Hokianga on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 February, 2015.

There will also be a panel discussion and a field trip hosted by Te Roroa following the Symposium on Sunday 15 February.

Anyone interested in learning more about how they can help keep kauri standing is welcome to register for this free event. Please register your interest online at www.kauridieback.co.nz

Remember, everyone has a part to play in helping prevent the spread of kauri dieback. Keep to tracks and off kauri roots, and remove all soil from your shoes, tyres and equipment before and after visiting kauri forests.

Ends

Frequently asked kauri dieback questions

What is kauri dieback?
Kauri dieback is caused by a microscopic fungus-like disease called Phytophthora ’taxon Agathis’ (PTA).

How does it spread?
Through the movement of microscopic spores in soil, water, and root/wood material.

What does it do to kauri?
This disease infects kauri roots and damages the tissues that carry nutrients and water within the tree. This basically starves the tree to death. Symptoms include yellowing leaves, canopy thinning, dead branches and bleeding gum at the base of the trunk. Nearly all infected trees die.

Where has it been found?
Kauri dieback has been detected in Northland, Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula and on Great Barrier Island.
In the Auckland region kauri dieback has been detected in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park administered by Auckland Council, DOC reserves at Okura and Albany and on private land at a number of locations.

In Northland it’s been detected in Trounson Kauri Park and Waipoua, Omahuta, Russell, Raetea and Pukekaroro native forest reserves managed by DOC. It’s also been detected in the privately managed Glenbervie pine forest, which has pockets of kauri and a number of other sites on private land.

How did it get here?
Scientists realised kauri dieback was “a new disease to science” in 2008. However, spores of kauri dieback were first discovered along with sick kauri on Great Barrier Island in the 1970s. Identification methods at the time led to these samples being misclassified. There are also indications it has been in New Zealand since the 1950s.

Soil microbes could take a long time to build up in the soil before any effect is seen in the environment. It may be that we have been spreading it around kauri forests for the last 50 years without realising this was happening, especially as we are more mobile as a society than we were even 25 years ago. It’s only now that we know kauri dieback spores are present in the soil and are fatal to kauri.

What are you doing about it?
Scientists in the kauri dieback response programme are working to find out more about the disease and how it spreads.

We do know that the kauri dieback spores can be transported in minute amounts of soil and are working to prevent members of the public from spreading the disease.
The many locations affected, and the fact we do not currently have a cure means we need to concentrate on minimising the risk of spreading the disease.

The Kauri Dieback Management Programme will continue to focus its efforts on slowing the spread of kauri dieback and protecting our remaining disease-free forests while working to identify better ways to detect, manage and control this disease and its impacts on our kauri.

This involves ongoing work to raise awareness of the disease, its symptoms and how it can be spread. Everyone is being reminded to clean footwear and other gear in contact with soil when entering and leaving a kauri forest.

Who manages and funds the programme?
The Kauri Dieback Management Programme is a partnership between Tāngata Whenua, MPI, DOC, Auckland Council, Northland Regional Council, Waikato Regional Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council. It was established in 2009.

The programme is funded by MPI, DOC, Auckland Council, Waikato Regional Council, Northland Regional Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

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