Hui held to tackle killer kauri disease

The spread of a new disease attacking kauri trees is the focus of a series of hui being held throughout the North Island.

Kauri dieback was first formally identified late last year and poses a serious threat to the trees.

The Kauri Dieback Joint Agency Response - a collaboration of MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, the Department of Conservation, Auckland Regional Council, Northland Regional Council, Environment Bay of Plenty and Environment Waikato - has organised the hui to gauge the views of local iwi and the public.

David Yard, a spokesman for the response team, says the hui are the first step in its consultation process.

“It’s an opportunity to explain the current situation, what we’ve done so far and consider ways forward with the support of iwi and members of the public.”

Kauri dieback (Phytophthora taxon Agathis or PTA) affects trees and seedlings of all ages, and has the potential to wipe out entire kauri forests.

The disease has been found in various locations around the North Island, including the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park and at Department of Conservation reserves on Great Barrier Island and Trounson Kauri Park in Northland.

Because kauri dieback is new to science, there is very little information known about it and there is no known cure.

“This is a very serious disease but until we have more information we are concentrating on precautionary methods,” says Mr Yard.

“We are taking a sensible approach rather than a sensationalist.”

He says the first two hui, held last week in Whangarei and Kaeo, were “extremely useful”.

“We received a number of different views, concerns and interest from Maori at the hui.

“We’re looking forward to a positive relationship with iwi and to working together on a constructive basis,” he says.

The agency also plans to hold hui in Tauranga, Hamilton, Auckland and the Coromandel.

Te Runanga O Ngati Hine environmental coordinator Tui Shortland attended the hui and was elected to disseminate information to iwi.

“The agency is still in the early stages of preparing a report, but we are hoping it will only be a two-month thing until the Government confirms its commitment to managing the disease,” says Ms Shortland.

“It’s a huge problem – I think it’s going to be bigger than the kiwi.”