KauriKonnect Strengthening our efforts to protect kauri - Kauri Dieback
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KauriKonnect
Strengthening our efforts to
protect kauri
At the end of last year, stronger It’s very clear to all of us on the Kauri
measures to protect kauri were Dieback Programme Governance Group
announced by Biosecurity Minister that we need to move quickly to combat
Damien O’Connor and Conservation the spread of dieback disease and provide
Minister Eugenie Sage. This stronger protection for kauri. That’s why
included developing a National Pest we’ve set up the Accelerating Protection for
Management Plan (NPMP) – the Kauri project.
strongest form of regulation we can put This project team has an independent panel
in place. We are making good progress. who’ll oversee its activity, which will start
So far there are Controlled Area Notices with a refresh of New Zealand’s strategy
in place over parts of the Waitākere and for managing kauri dieback disease. The
Hunua Ranges to control the movement project will also develop the NPMP, consider
of soil and to enforce the cleaning of improvements to programme functions, and
footwear and gear, and we’ve set up a identify ways to strengthen engagement
Zoe Lyle
Kauri Dieback Strategic Science Advisory with partners and communities.
Group. This group is providing independent, To ensure we move quickly, we are currently
KauriKonnect is the newsletter of the Kauri Dieback Programme, a collaborative high-level advice on the strategic direction gathering information and considering
partnership between tangata whenua, the Ministry for Primary Industries, and coordination of kauri dieback disease options to speed up the establishment
the Department of Conservation, Auckland Council, Waikato Regional Council, research. of a management agency to implement
Northland Regional Council and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
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Strengthening our efforts – continued
Protection through Controlled
the NPMP. Setting it up as a priority
and running it in parallel with the
an interest in kauri dieback.
There are many individuals and groups
Area Notices
development of the NPMP proposal On 1 May 2018, Auckland Council
passionate about the protection of
means we are working faster to protect
kauri and we have always been willing closed forest areas in the Waitākere
kauri.
to engage on this. As noted above, Ranges and various tracks in both
We’re making sure the NPMP the Waitākere Ranges and Hunua
consultation will be an important part
development process is robust. There Ranges to help protect kauri from
of developing the NPMP and we’d like
are opportunities for partners and
people to get involved. kauri dieback disease.
communities to contribute ideas on
the future protection of kauri through I’d like to express my gratitude to the At the same time, the Ministry for
workshops, hui and consultations many people and groups working hard Primary Industries issued Controlled
which are now getting underway. More to ensure the best possible outcome for Area Notices (CANs) for certain open
information is available on tracks in the Waitākere Ranges and
kauri – from tangata whenua, regional
www.kauridieback.co.nz. parts of the Hunua Ranges.
councils and central government,
industry organisations, local groups and The use of CANs to strengthen CONTROLLED AREAS
Environment Select Committee protection for kauri was signalled as an TODAY, TOHELP...
The Environment Select Committee held community volunteers. Thank you all.
option earlier this year.
meetings in Auckland and Wellington in Roger Smith PREVENT KAURI DIEBACK TOMORROW
May to hear submissions relating to kauri Head of Biosecurity New Zealand and
CANs are introduced under the
dieback disease. Submissions were made Chair of the Kauri Dieback Programme Biosecurity Act 1993, usually as an
by programme partners and others with Governance Group interim measure, and are there to
control the movement of biosecurity
risk materials in Controlled Areas – in
this case visible soil or plant material
– and enforce good hygiene practices. To help fight kauri dieback, Auckland Council has
They’re legally enforceable to ensure closed many tracks in the Waitākere Ranges. Some
tracks remain open under a Controlled Area Notice.
compliance. Parts of the Hunua Ranges are also under a Controlled
Area Notice. Visitors using any open tracks have to
The Kauri Dieback Programme and scrub all visible soil from footwear and equipment,
and use all cleaning stations along the tracks, as per
Auckland Council are monitoring tracks instructions. Failure to do so may lead to prosecution.
covered by the CANs to see how they’re If we all do our part, and respect closures and
working. Controlled Area rules today, we can help prevent
kauri dieback tomorrow.
Further information gathered will help Find out more at
us determine the viability of future mpi.govt.nz/kauridieback
CANs in other locations. You can find
MPI0100
CONTROLLED AREA UNDER SECTION 131 OF THE BIOSECURITY ACT 1993
more information about them at
www.mpi.govt.nz/kauridieback
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Strategic science for kauri
The creation of a new Kauri Dieback This work will complement the focus the
Strategic Science Advisory Group is programme has had to date on developing
just one approach agreed earlier this operational tools to understand, detect and
year by the Kauri Dieback Programme manage the disease.
to better protect kauri. We’ll keep you updated on their work.
Keen to get started, the group have already
Kauri Dieback Strategic Science
held their first meeting.
Advisory Group
“Members of the advisory group are keen »» Dr Ian Ferguson, (chair)
to begin developing their detailed work plan »» Jamie Ataria, Co-Deputy Director,
and shape the long-term science strategy Bioprotection Core, Lincoln University
for kauri dieback,” says Dr Ian Ferguson, »» Lindsay Bulman, Science Leader, Forest
Chair of the new group. Protection, Scion
»» Marie McEntee, Social Scientist, University of
Made up of experts from science Auckland
organisations, tangata whenua, government »» Karyn Froud, Biosecurity Scientist
agencies and from overseas, the group »» Giles Hardy, Director of the Centre for
will contribute their scientific knowledge Phytophthora Science and Management,
Murdoch University, Perth
and experience to strengthen our efforts to »» Veronica Herrera, Director Diagnostics and
protect kauri. Surveillance Services, MPI
Scientific research is a vital part of the »» Ken Hughey, Departmental Science Advisor,
response to kauri dieback. As more is Department of Conservation
»» Danette Olsen, Manager Strategic
learnt about the disease, the advisory Investments, Ministry of Business, Innovation
group will be able to provide guidance and and Employment
high-level strategic scientific advice to the »» Haami Piripi, Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa, Kaitaia
programme. »» Philippa Stevens, General Manager,
Bioprotection, Plant & Food Research
A range of priority areas for the group will
»» Nick Waipara, Te Tira Whakamātaki TTW
help them form an enduring science plan (Māori Biosecurity Network)
and coordinate kauri dieback research.
Advisory group priority areas
»» Prioritisation of kauri dieback disease research efforts.
»» Coordination of current and future kauri dieback disease science initiatives.
»» Consider emerging technologies and ideas to manage kauri dieback disease.
»» Identify any critical knowledge gaps and ways to fix them.
»» Find opportunities to learn from similar research programmes in New Zealand and overseas. Gathering data with a field spectrometer.
»» Provide assurance kauri dieback disease research is fit for purpose. Photo by J Meiforth.
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Three million hectares of northern
New Zealand surveyed
Sixth kauri dieback site found on
Coromandel Peninsula
Waikato Regional Council says that kauri dieback disease
More than three million and Waikato will now be reviewed tree. In cases where kauri dieback had been found in forest on a private property at Tairua. It
hectares of kauri lands have and prioritised by MPI, the disease is suspected, sites may be takes the number of Waikato locations confirmed to have
been photographed from the Department of Conservation (DOC) ground-truthed and soil samples kauri dieback to six.
air over the past three years, and regional councils for further potentially collected for laboratory
The council is working with the landowner to prevent the
and from this around 450 sites investigation. testing. spread of the disease and as an initial response, DOC
(individual trees or clumps of “One of the symptoms of kauri “Ground-truthing is a time- has closed nearby tracks on Public Conservation Land at
trees) have been identified for dieback is a yellowing and thinning consuming and costly process but Lynch Stream and Twin Kauri Tracks. More information
possible investigation to see canopy,” says John Sanson, MPI’s at present is the best way to verify can be found at: www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/
whether kauri dieback disease Group Manager, Recovery and Pest whether kauri dieback disease is community/whats-happening/news/media-releases/
is present. Management. actually present,” says John.
Carried out by the Kauri Dieback The next step will involve MPI, DOC
Kauri classified as threatened
“This may also be caused by other
Programme, this surveillance things such as drought, poor soil and regional councils prioritising
On 5 June 2018, DOC released its latest NZ Threat
involved flying at low levels, taking conditions, high winds, cattle and sites and potentially undertaking Classification System report which now classifies kauri as
nearly a million photographs. other animal movement under the ‘ground-truthing’ visits. threatened. The report updates the conservation status of
Those sites in Northland, Auckland About three-quarters of the 450 2785 known species or types of native vascular plants.
sites identified are thought to be DOC’s acting Director, Terrestrial Ecosystems, Matt
Arrows point to kauri that may individual trees in bush areas. Barnett says about 80% of our native plants are endemic
have kauri dieback disease. The majority are in Whangarei/ and found only in New Zealand but an increasing number
southern Northland, southern are in trouble. More information can be found at:
Kaipara and Rodney, while about www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2018/
50 of these sites are in the Waikato
region.
Research and trials are underway
to find a faster way to survey PASS IT ON. Please spread the word by
infected kauri trees. Until this is in sending this newsletter through your networks
place, further aerial surveys will via email or print off hardcopies to pass on to
be carried out in the future in the those you meet.
ongoing effort to manage kauri Are you new to KauriKonnect?
dieback. Go to www.kauridieback.co.nz and put in your
Further information about the details at the bottom of the page – you’ll never
survey work can be found at miss a copy again!
www.kauridieback.co.nz
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New cleaning stations help Bivouac help to
spread the word
protect kauri Outdoor retailer Bivouac added something extra
DOC has started a rollout The Kauri Loop track in the tracks managed by Auckland to their packages in April, to help spread the word
of 20 innovative footwear Hakarimata Scenic Reserve Council and Northland Regional about kauri dieback disease.
near Huntly is the first track to Council will also get the new
cleaning stations on busy During April each package ordered via the Bivouac
have one of the new footwear cleaning stations.
and high-risk DOC managed website also had a kauri dieback disease pamphlet
cleaning stations installed. DOC trialled various cleaning
tracks in kauri forest areas. tucked inside with more than a thousand going out.
Tracks in the Kauri Coast methods and stations over
The move was announced at and Bay of Islands Districts, recent years at a range of sites.
“This was a simple way for us to help raise
the start of April 2018 as part of Whangarei, Auckland, Extensive testing, monitoring awareness to a large group,” Bivouac’s e-commerce
DOC’s work plan to prevent the Whitianga, Hauraki, Tauranga, and evaluation of these led to manager Paul Tougas says.
spread of kauri dieback disease. and Waikato, as well as two the improved stations now being “A lot of our users visit kauri forests, so it’s great to
rolled out. Ongoing monitoring be able to play our part in educating that audience
and feedback will inform any about how they can help.”
future refinements, ahead of
future roll-outs later this year.
These stations are designed to
be easy to install and maintain,
and hard to ignore.
Research shows people are
far more likely to use cleaning
stations if they see others
doing it, and if they can see the
stations are good quality and
well signposted.
Human traffic is the main
way kauri dieback disease is
spread, so cleaning footwear
and gear and staying on
the track is the best way to
contain the disease and save
these forest giants.
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DOC temporarily
closes Okura Bush
Walkway
Peter Gadgil (1936-2018)
We were saddened by the news of
Peter Gadgil’s passing. Peter was
The walkway – from the Haigh Road entrance to Okura instrumental in drawing attention
Bush Scenic Reserve on Auckland’s North Shore – was to kauri dieback disease back in
closed on 12 May 2018 to help prevent the spread of kauri the 1970s. At that time he proved a
dieback disease. Phytophthora pathogen was the cause
Supported by a rāhui over Okura Bush Scenic Reserve by mana of kauri dieback on Great Barrier
whenua, the track closure will allow the protection of kauri from Island. Peter will be remembered as
human movement along the track while the track is upgraded. one of New Zealand’s most eminent
forest pathologists.
The rāhui is to enable the environment to recuperate and
regenerate without the presence and impacts of humans. With
winter here and an expected increase in mud that can be easily
moved along the track, the track upgrade will build on work done
to date.
“There is still some work to be done to protect kauri growing
next to the Okura walkway. Unfortunately we haven’t been able to
complete the upgrade work before winter, when Auckland has its
wettest months, so closure is the safest option at this time,” says
DOC Auckland Mainland Operations Manager Kirsty Prior.
Te Kawerau ā Maki Executive Manager Edward Ashby says they
welcome the decision by DOC to respect the rāhui and close
Okura Bush Scenic Reserve until we can be positive the tracks
are safe for kauri.
The track upgrades will include the installation of two new walk-
through footwear cleaning stations.
This follows the earlier temporary closure of Goldie Bush Scenic
Reserve just north of the Waitākere Ranges while further work to
upgrade the tracks is carried out.
As with Okura Bush Walkway, new walk-through footwear
cleaning stations will be installed at entrances to the reserve.
For more information visit www.doc.govt.nz
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Kauri dieback education goes virtual
More than 70 classes joined LEARNZ culture and in the hearts of all who stand to interact with our expert guests. It’s a owned part of Waipoua forest with
for a virtual field trip in May to learn before them. We need to nurture their chance for them to ask questions. They Andrew and Conrad Marsh from Te
about kauri dieback disease and what curiosity and help them learn what they get so much more from it than just being Roroa iwi, kaitiaki of kauri in this area.
they can do to protect kauri. can do to protect kauri. These children spoken to, and I get great feedback from There was behind-the-scenes access to
are our future, and if we want kauri to be the expert guests too,” says Andrew. MPI offices in Whangārei and a science
Through the wonders of technology, over
around for them and for their children, laboratory in Auckland with MPI staff
1700 students all over New Zealand took “We keep it fun with ambassadors that
it’s important they hear our message.” Travis Ashcroft and Kim Brown, a trip to
a walk through kauri forests – and didn’t go everywhere with me. On this field trip,
Held over three days, teachers pre- AH Reed Memorial Park in Whangārei,
leave a single footprint. our LEARNZ ambassador Egbert gets
registered their school and were and also a visit to the edge of the
Andrew Penny from LEARNZ is a field to make friends with Titirangi Primary
encouraged to use LEARNZ resources for Waitākere forest and Arataki Visitor
trip teacher who has run many of these School’s monkey, Edmund. Using their
learning enquiries prior to the field trip. Centre to meet Auckland Council Park
virtual field trips, but says this subject voice through a daily diary gives student
The field trip took on three themes: kauri Ranger Stuart Leighton.
holds a special place in his heart. a different perspective of the field trip –
as a taonga; science of the disease; and they love it.” Andrew’s enthusiasm is infectious and
“I grew up in Titirangi where kauri are changing behaviours. Written diaries, his use of simple language makes it
everywhere – to get to our house you had A series of videos available throughout
daily videos and ambassador diaries were easy for people to follow. Students get a
to go past huge kauri that were possibly the field trip take children on a journey.
made available throughout the field trip. real sense of being in the forest through
500 years old, or more. I developed a real But a highlight was the daily live web To learn more about kauri, the disease emotive descriptions, as well as access to
connection to these trees, this national conference. and how to stop it spreading, Andrew and multiple guests they may not otherwise
taonga species. Held at the start of each day in different the ambassadors go to places it may be get to meet.
“When I heard about kauri dieback locations, registered schools interacted challenging for large groups of children The Kauri Dieback Programme is pleased
disease I was naturally very concerned. with Andrew, the ambassadors and guest to visit. Such is the beauty of this virtual to have supported this virtual field
We need to teach our young people about experts to talk about the day’s theme. approach. trip and its approach to educating our
kauri, the special place they hold in Māori “The web conferences allow students Students were taken into a privately tamariki about kauri dieback disease.
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1 1 Clean ALL soil off your
Kauri dieback footwear and other gear
EVERY TIME you ENTER or
is killing our LEAVE a forest.
forests 2 Use disinfectant only
2 after you have removed
all soil.
It can be spread
with just a
pinhead of soil.
Stay on track and off
WWW.KAURIDIEBACK.CO.NZ X kauri roots.
TANGATA WHENUA I MINISTRY FOR PRIMARY INDUSTRIES I DEPARTMENT OF
CONSERVATION I NORTHLAND REGIONAL COUNCIL I AUCKLAND COUNCIL
WAIKATO REGIONAL COUNCIL I BAY OF PLENTY REGIONAL COUNCIL
X
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