Govt gets tough to save kauri

The Government is taking urgent action to stop the spread of kauri dieback, the incurable disease killing the iconic New Zealand giant trees.

Forestry Minister Shane Jones has described the Kauri Dieback Programme, which has been in place since 2009, as ‘‘an unmitigated disaster’’, and kauri expert, and former Auckland Council biosecurity manager Jack Craw says that at this rate the native trees will be extinct within 30 years.

Following complaints about the programme, which was delivered by councils, iwi and the Conservation Department, with Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) as the lead agency, the new Government promised a review.

It was clear the voluntary measures, like the shoe cleaning stations at infected areas, were not having the desired effect, with many people – especially locals – not complying.

Now Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor and Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage say they will move immediately to strengthen efforts to protect the kauri.

O’Connor said he had asked the Kauri Dieback Programme to develop a National Pest Management Plan in light of the continued spread of the disease, ‘‘which had the potential to take kauri to the brink of extinction’’.

‘‘It is by far the strongest piece of regulation available and will ensure mandatory hygiene practices, consistent regulations that apply nationally, stronger governance and access to funding.’’

National Pest Management Plans have previously been used to combat major threats to the primary sector such as the kiwifruit disease Psa, bovine tuberculosis and american foulbrood – a bee disease.

Other measures that could come into force quickly through the Biosecurity Act were also under consideration, including an interim Controlled Area Notice applying to kauri forests.

This could be used to introduce mandatory minimum hygiene standards for people to follow when going into areas that have kauri and to close areas to visitors.

Earlier this month, the Auckland Council voted against closing the affected Waita¯kere Ranges to the public, to stop the spread of disease. Instead it opted to close highto-medium-risk walking tracks, and to attempt to fight the disease by improving track surfaces and installing hygiene stations.

But O’Connor said the voluntary approach had not been working.

‘‘To date, we have relied on people voluntarily complying with the rules when visiting kauri areas – that they must clean their footwear, stay on marked tracks, and keep their dogs on leashes. That approach has not worked, so it is time that we come up with tougher solutions.’’

Sage said kauri were a New Zealand icon and urgent and effective action was needed.

Kauri dieback, or Phytophthora agathidicida, is caused by a microscopic spore in the soil that attacks the roots and trunks of kauri. It damages the tissues that carry nutrients within the tree, meaning they starve to death. The disease is easily spread by human movement.