Final round for kauri consultation

A third and final round of public consultation has begun on a new national plan and options for the best type of agency to protect kauri as efforts to deal with kauri dieback disease gather momentum.

“Kauri face a significant threat from dieback disease, and introducing a national pest management plan is one of the strongest measures we can take under the Biosecurity Act to protect them,” said Roger Smith, head of Biosecurity New Zealand.

“The decisions we make today on the plan, rules, strategy and agency will be critical to the future of kauri, which are a taonga for Ma¯ori and all New Zealanders.”

Biosecurity New Zealand was Venues for the next and final round of kauri dieback disease consultation will include Mangamuka Marae (9.30am) and Te Ahu, in

co-ordinating the final round of consultation, which followed two rounds last year that had helped to shape the proposals.

The organism Phytophthora agathidicida (PA), which caused the disease, could be spread on the boots and equipment of people visiting kauri forests. There was no known cure for the disease once a tree was infected. Kaitaia (7pm), on Saturday week (March 2), followed by the Woodlands Conference Centre in Kerikeri at 7pm on Sunday March 3.

The current approach to managing its spread had mainly relied on voluntary compliance, which Mr Smith said would change under a National Pest Management Plan.

It was proposed that the plan would be supported by new regulations requiring people, for example, to use approved cleaning stations at tracks, and ensure soil was removed and equipment sanitised when leaving or entering forests.

Some land owners may be required to develop kauri dieback management plans and other controls for their properties.

Failure to follow those rules could result in fines.

“Regulations and fines are a significant step up in our approach to managing kauri dieback, but the community told us it is needed if we are serious about stopping the spread of the disease,” Mr Smith added.

“We are also consulting on two possible options for the national agency that will implement the pest management plan.

“One option is for the agency to be a government department, the other is to create a not-forprofit Crown-owned company,” he said.

“We encourage anyone interested in the future of kauri to get involved in this final round of consultation, as it’s your last chance to shape our kauri dieback strategy before we make recommendations to ministers.

“A series of meetings and hui at local venues and marae are planned throughout the kaurilands over coming weeks.

“This will be an opportunity to hear more about our plans, how they will work and the impact on you and your community.”

Further details of the consultation can be found at www.kauridieback.co.nz.