Kauri dieback: how you can help

This webpage is the home for information on kauri dieback for the whole of New Zealand. It has information on what kauri dieback is, the symptoms of the disease and how you can help stop it spreading. You can also find our fact sheet, technical documents and links to the organisations involved in the management of the disease.

The collaborative effort to address kauri dieback includes MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, the Department of Conservation, Auckland Regional Council, Northland Regional Council, Environment Waikato, Environment Bay of Plenty and Maori. We are working together as one team to ensure the integrity of kauri ecosystems remains, to protect high value kauri areas and iconic kauri trees.

In October 2009 the Government announced funding of a long term management programme for kauri dieback. The five year programme will cover research into the detection and spread of kauri dieback, methods to control it and public awareness campaigns to help arrest its spread.

What is Phytophthora taxon Agathis?

Commonly known as PTA, Phytophthora taxon Agathis is a microscopic fungus-like plant pathogen (a disease causing agent) that only affects kauri. Recent research has identified PTA as a distinct and previously undescribed species of Phytophthora.

What does it do to kauri trees?

Symptoms include yellowing of foliage, loss of leaves, canopy thinning and dead branches. Affected trees can also develop lesions that bleed resin, extending to the major roots and sometimes girdling the trunk as a ‘collar rot'. PTA can kill trees and seedlings of all ages.

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How is it spread?

PTA is believed to be a soil-borne species spread by soil and soil water movement, plant to plant transmission through underground root-to-root contact, and human and animal vectors.

Where did it come from?

Formally identified in April 2008, its closest known relative is a chestnut pathogen from Korea (Phytophthora katsurae). The assumption is that it is an exotic pathogen. However nothing is known about this particular species overseas.

Where is it?

PTA has been found at Huia and Maungaroa Ridge in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park and at Department of Conservation reserves at Great Barrier and Trounson Kauri Park in Northland.

Symptoms of kauri dieback have also been observed at Cascade Kauri in the Waitakeres and other sites in Rodney, Franklin, Waitakere and the North Shore, as well as Pakiri, Albany, Okura and the Waipoua Forest.

What can we do to stop it spreading?

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Make sure shoes, tyres and equipment are clean of dirt before and after visiting kauri forest
Clean shoes and any other equipment that comes into contact with soil after every visit, especially if moving between bush areas
Keep to defined park tracks at all times. Any movement of soil around the roots of a tree has the potential to spread the disease
Keep your dog on a leash at all times. Dogs can inadvertently spread the disease if they disturb the soil around the trees
Read these operational papers:
Hygiene Procedures (SOP) for those working in kauri areas (213.0 KB PDF)

Kauri tree removal and pruning SOP (183.9 KB PDF)

Trigene bottle label (368.2 KB PDF)

What should I do if I have kauri on my land?

Minimise movement around kauri tree roots
Keep dogs and animals away from kauri trees
Download a warning sign and put it up to alert visitors to the dangers of spreading the disease. This can be laminated to make it more durable.
If you think your trees have PTA symptoms contact the Kauri Dieback Management Team on 0800 NZ KAURI (69 52874).

Protect our kauri A4 sign (141.7 KB PDF)

If you need a more durable sign please contact the Kauri Dieback Management Team on 0800 NZ KAURI (69 52874).

Will parks or reserves be closed?

At this stage there are no plans to close parks or reserves, but it is something we may have to consider in the future.

What is being done?

The current programme of work includes:

Research that improves knowledge of how to detect kauri dieback (sampling and diagnostic techniques)
Research that shows what spreads the disease and how
Development of an effective control method (treatment)
Surveillance that determines whether the disease is present and selected sites, and mapping to show spread
Assessing the risk posed by the organism to individual trees and their ecosystem
Public education and provision of appropriate cleaning tools at high risk sites
Ensuring a co-ordinated approach to Phytophthora taxon Agathis including the appropriate management of communications and information

Contact us

For more information, or to report any suspect sightings of diseased kauri on public or private land, phone the Kauri Dieback Management Team on 0800 NZ KAURI (69 52874)