Myrtle rust spreading through North Island
The spread of Myrtle rust is continuing by the day, with the disease being found in three more Taranaki properties and also one in the Waikato.
The four new locations took the national total on Tuesday to 16 infected properties.
The majority are in Taranaki, with just two confirmed cases in Northland and the single Waikato find.
The fungus, thought to have blown in to New Zealand from Australia, attacks various species of plants in the myrtle family, such as pohutukawa, manuka, rata, kanuka, swamp maire and ramarama.
Commercially-grown species such as eucalyptus, feijoa and guava are also susceptible.
Myrtle rust spores are microscopic and can easily spread across large distances by wind, or via insects, birds, people, or machinery.
The disease was identified in a small number of plants at a nursery in Te Kuiti on Tuesday. The new location was found as a result of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) tracing sales of plants from another positive nursery.
MPI has personnel on the ground in Te Kuiti and restrictions are in place on the movement of risk goods from the property, which will be treated with fungicide.
As with all other finds to date, MPI will continue to search surrounding areas for signs of the fungus.
In Taranaki, The New Plymouth District Council has offered some of its staff to help battle the spread of the disease.
Manager parks and open spaces Stuart Robertson said council had a team of arborists with years of experience which would be invaluable in supporting MPI to identify and combat myrtle rust.
‘‘One of the first steps in managing an invasive species is to identify the scale of the problem and we have the people power to help with that,’’ he said.
‘‘Myrtle rust has the potential to badly affect some of our iconic vegetation. Everyone can do their bit by keeping an eye on the plants in their gardens and in public areas.’’
The disease causing fungus has been found at a mix of properties including nurseries, plant retailers and distributors, an orchard and private gardens.
MPI said it was receiving unprecedented support from members of the public, with some 420 reports of suspected symptoms to its 0800 80 99 66 number.