Kauri Dieback - July 4, 2018

The kauri tree is among the most ancient trees in the world and native to our beautiful country. Found in the upper North Island regions, this magnificent tree that can live for over 2000 years could now be facing extinction.

The kauri Dieback Disease is caused by a microscopic pathogen that infects kauri roots and literally starves trees to death. There is no cure for kauri dieback and the disease can be spread by just a pinhead of soil. This is why its important to know how you can help to protect our taonga .

We can help reduce its spread by cleaning boots and equipment and avoiding kauri tree roots. Any movement of soil around the roots of trees could spread the disease.

At the end of last year, the Government clearly signalled the need to deliver stronger protection for kauri, including the development of a National Pest Management Plan. The Kauri Dieback Programme Governance Group is progressing this work and has set up the Accelerating Protection for Kauri project to do this.  Now there’s an opportunity for everyone with an interest in kauri to contribute.

Submissions are now open and will close on Monday 16 July 2018, 5:00pm. Take a look at the website to see the best way for you to have your say www.kauridieback.co.nz

There are three rounds of consultation this year. This is to get the best result for kauri by working towards the future and coming up with actions together.

This first round is to refresh the future direction for managing kauri dieback disease. In rounds two and three later this year, you will see (and get to comment) on the big picture view created from your feedback in round one. This will inform how the National Pest Management Plan can best be used to support the work to protect kauri. We will keep you updated with these consultation dates.

Please pass this information to your members or communities who may be interested in contributing to the future of kauri.

Remember to go to www.kauridieback.co.nz to have your say before 16 July 2018.