Kauri Dieback is threatening to destroy and eliminate New Zealand’s Kauri population. So, what is Kauri Dieback? How is it spread? How can we prevent further spread?

What is Kauri Dieback?

Forest & Bird

Phytophthora agathidicida (PA) is a fungus-type disease that kills all Kauri trees it comes in contact with, known as Kauri Dieback. Kauri Dieback reduces the tree’s ability to take water and nutrients from the soil. It has been found in Northland, Waitakere ranges in Auckland, Great Barrier Island, and the Coromandel Peninsula.

For Māori, the kauri is a taonga (treasure) of enormous significance. Tāne Mahuta is the giant kauri tree in the Waipoua Forest. He stands over 50m tall with a diameter exceeding 15m and is estimated to be between 1,250 and 2,500 years old. Tāne Mahuta is named Atua (God/Guardian) of forests and birds, and the son of Papatūānuku, the Earth mother, and Ranginui, the Sky father.

Kauri plays an equally important role in New Zealand’s culture, economy, and environment but is a threatened species. While Kauri Dieback is an environmental challenge, Kauri is worth our best efforts to be protected from further spread, for its own sake and future generations.

How does it spread?

Kauri Dieback lives in the soil and there is no airborne phase. The disease is spread by disruption and movement of soil and plant materials. Movement of soil includes soil sticking to shoes, vehicles, as well as animals roaming the area.

Northland Regional Council – https://www.nrc.govt.nz/kauridieback

Initial signs of kauri dieback can include the following:

  • Yellowing leaves
  • Lesions occurring on the trunk
  • Loss of leaves and thinning canopy
  • Gum bleeding around the base of the tree’s trunk
  • branches starve and the whole tree succumbs

 

It can take years for symptoms to be expressed in the canopy of trunks of infected trees. Therefore, it can be difficult to know if a tree is infected with Kauri Dieback just by looking at it.

Land disturbance activities near kauri such as earthworks, gardening, and tree removal have more potential of spreading contaminated soil than activities further away. Land disturbances could also include landslips, such as those seen around the country in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle.

How can we prevent further spread?

While there is no known cure, we can prevent the spread of Kauri Dieback, by avoiding any movement of soil and avoiding the roots of trees. We can do this by sticking to walking tracks in addition to cleaning footwear, vehicles, and gear that might touch the ground.

Arrive to your walk clean and leave clean. Clean your shoes and your gear at hygiene stations, where available, as you enter and exit. If you’re unsure about whether hygiene stations will be available, you can carry your own Kauri Dieback protection kit.

 

 

Federated Mountain Club

We’ve teamed up with Federated Mountain Club (FMC) to ensure their 22,518 members are equipped with the best protection when they take to the tracks.

FMC is the national association of over 100 mountain clubs throughout New Zealand. FMC’s objectives are to promote its club’s activities, training and safe use of the backcountry, and its preservation and sound management.

 

 

Additional Reading:

For more information about Kauri Dieback plus protection and prevention plans, visit https://www.kauriprotection.co.nz/

Is there a cure on the way? Visit www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2023/01/leading-kauri-dieback-scientists-back-indigenous-knowledge-to-restore-aotearoa-s-kaurilands