KauriKonnect Strong engagement on the future of kauri protection - Kauri Dieback
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KauriKonnect
Strong engagement on the future of kauri protection
35
The Accelerating Protection for Kauri project team hit the road in March as the third round of public
consultation started on a new approach to managing kauri dieback disease.
The consultation sought feedback on two proposed around public access to forests. Overall, the meetings
options for an agency to manage kauri dieback disease, were constructive and there were a lot of thoughtful
along with a National Pest Management Plan (NPMP) questions asked and opinions expressed.
that will be implemented by the agency. It followed two “We got the impression that people are pleased with
consultation rounds held during 2018, which generated the work that has been done to get us to this stage,
strong public feedback that helped shape the final and there is general confidence that the proposals will
proposals. make a positive difference to efforts to manage kauri
The team visited all the kauri regions, taking part dieback.
in nearly 30 hui, community events and stakeholder “Key areas of interest we heard included the proposed
meetings in Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty and new rules and impacts on particular groups such as
Waikato. This included direct discussions with mana private landowners, the role of mana whenua in the
whenua in the regions and commercial, environmental plan and strategy, details on funding and compensation,
and recreational sector groups. More than 400 and options for the new management agency.
people attended these events and over 110 written
“The next job for the project team is to compile all the
submissions were received. A summary of those oral
feedback from the meetings and written submissions,
and written submissions will be published on the kauri
and analyse it. We’ll be engaging with our programme
dieback website later in April.
partners as part of that work.
Project lead David Williment was pleased with the
“Once that work is done we’ll use the information to
feedback provided. “The consultation meetings have
test our proposals and make improvements. We’ll then
been really valuable for the insights the community
draw up recommendations for our minister at the end
has given us, and we’re grateful for the welcome we
of April to take to Cabinet. We expect that these will
received and the interest shown by people in the kauri
then come into effect in the second half of the year.”
lands.
David thanked all who had taken the time to attend hui
“We were expecting some passionate debates as we
and contribute to the consultation. Around 1000 people
know there are strong views in the community on the
attended the almost 60 meetings and hui held across
best way to save kauri, the deep connection many Recent public consultation attracted a positive response to
kauri lands over the three rounds of consultation, with
feel to their land and their forests, and concerns proposals for the future protection of kauri.
227 submissions received on the proposals.
www.kauridieback.co.nz ≤ HOME ≥ KauriKonnect Autumn 2019 1
Keen interest in kauri at Northland Field Days
Strong community interest in kauri protection was evident during February’s Northland Field
Days in Dargaville, as thousands of people turned out to enjoy the three-day event.
Representatives from Biosecurity New Zealand’s Accelerating Protection for Kauri (APK) team took
the opportunity to join forces with Northland Regional Council staff to engage with visitors and provide
information about kauri protection efforts.
“Attending the field days provided a great opportunity to engage with the public, land owners and
organisations such as Fonterra to talk about kauri and the work that is ongoing to strengthen the
protection of kauri into the future,” says Lisette Rawson of the APK team.
“It was fantastic to see a lot of interest in the kauri stand, which included information about the current
round of public consultation on future management agency options and the national pest management
plan, as well council maps showing the spread of kauri dieback disease in local kauri lands,” Lisette
says.
“Many of those we spoke to were aware of the threat to kauri and asked if there was more that they could
be doing to enhance protection efforts, which was really encouraging.”
Northland Regional Council have recently increased the number of staff dedicated to kauri and Kauri
Dieback Advisers Gavin Clapperton and Adrian Peachey were onsite for the duration of field days, along
with Biosecurity Specialist Pete Graham.
Gavin says: “It was fantastic to see a great turn out particularly on Thursday. We were thrilled with the
number of landowners who dropped by seeking information or assistance with protecting kauri on their
property.”
“We were able to provide information on how to identify signs that kauri may be in trouble and encourage
people to let us know if they have any concerns. We explained to landowners the process of taking soil
Photo: Northland Regional Council.
samples which are tested for dieback disease. This is a crucial part of the process for identifying disease
presence or absence.”
Gavin says it was great to be part of many engaging conversations and to be able to provide advice and
alleviate people’s concerns over kauri dieback.
“We’re always looking for opportunities to make contact with the public, community groups and
landowners, and encourage anyone with questions or issues relating to kauri dieback to get in touch. The
more people that have an understanding of what kauri dieback is and how we go about protecting our
kauri trees, the better off we are going to be.”
Northland Regional Council Kauri Dieback Adviser Gavin Clapperton
shares some tips with local kids on the correct footwear cleaning
procedure during the recent Northland Field Days.
www.kauridieback.co.nz ≤ HOME ≥ KauriKonnect Autumn 2019 2
Innovative summer campaign Campaign highlights:
provides valuable insights »» 1.2 million people reached across kauri lands.
»» 7,000 people engaged so far with social media
posts (likes, shares, clicks, posts).
The Kauri Dieback Programme’s summer behaviour change campaign has reached more than a »» 30,000 people reached with targeted media when
million people – and the use of mobile technology and social media is revealing valuable insights that entering forests or within two days after they’ve
could benefit other biosecurity programmes. visited.
Launched in November last year, the campaign targets John says the results have been extremely positive, »» 2,435 clicks through to the programme website.
forest visitors across kauri lands and encourages with over one million people reached, while thousands »» Engagement is strongest with the 18-34 age
positive behaviour change, as part of ongoing efforts of people have engaged with social media posts, and bracket.
to strengthen the protection of kauri from dieback many more received targeted messaging, either when »» Areas which are culturally and physically close
disease. entering kauri forests, or shortly after visiting. to kauri continue
“The data gathered so far is incredibly helpful as “With human activity the biggest factor in spreading to show the
we continue to move forward in the Kauri Dieback dieback disease, usually through infected soil being highest levels
Programme,” says John Sanson, Biosecurity carried on footwear and equipment, this type of social of engagement,
New Zealand’s Manager of Recovery and Pest research is critical to help understand what messages including the
Management. “It’s delivered insights into the type of and methods are most effective in reaching different Coromandel, Far
information and messages that people visiting kauri forest users and getting everyone to do the right North, Kaipara and
forests are responding to, including which of these are thing,” John says. Waitakere.
the most effective in getting people engaged and most »» The Coromandel
“I can see benefits in using this type of targeted
likely to positively change their behaviour.” shows the most
campaign across other biosecurity-related
triggers in
An exciting innovation in the campaign is the use programmes, where public engagement is key to
“geo-fenced” areas,
of ‘geo-fencing’, a system that allows for a ‘digital driving positive behaviour change to protect our
signifying that it is
reminder’ containing kauri protection messages to environment and economy.”
a high use area for
automatically be sent to people’s mobile phones when
visitors.
they enter key forests across kauri lands. It’s also
focused on boosting awareness and advocacy among
younger people through Instagram and Facebook.
Useful resources for kauri
planting and protection
With Autumn (late March – April) the optimum time for planting
kauri, useful information is available for those wanting to grow
and care for kauri.
The Kauri Care Guide provides tips and tricks for propagation, More than one million people have been reached via the
planting and protection of kauri. Kauri Dieback Programme’s digital summer campaign.
www.kauridieback.co.nz ≤ HOME ≥ KauriKonnect Autumn 2019 3
Wānanga brings science, art and mātauranga
Māori together
A range of diverse voices with a united passion for protecting kauri
came together during March as part of a wānanga to further strengthen
knowledge, understanding and networks in the fight against dieback
disease.
Kauri ki Uta, Kauri ki Tai: The Kauri Project Wānanga was held at Waipoua from
15-19 March and involved practitioners and community leaders across the disciplines
of art, science and mātauranga Māori. The aim was to develop and strengthen
networks, and explore the interlinked kaupapa of kauri dieback disease, forest health
and ecology, and kauri as a cultural taonga.
Initiated by The Kauri Project in collaboration with Te Roroa, Te Tira Whakamātaki,
Reconnecting Northland, and Victoria University, the wānanga was supported by the
New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO and the Kauri Dieback Programme.
After a powhiri on the banks of the Waipoua River, representatives of Te Roroa, led by
Snow Tāne, gave insight into the challenges of living with and managing the disease
in Waipoua Forest, and about their recent projects and strategies.
Dr Nick Waipara and Dr Amanda Black summarised past challenges faced by the
scientific community and recent developments to enable a more strategic research
programme.
Matua Hemi Waiwai and Matua Tohe Ashby spoke on the importance of mātauranga
Māori for healing community, environment and wairua, a korero that continued
across the weekend.
The Kauri Project also presented on their work over the last six years bringing
artists and creative practitioners together on the issue of kauri dieback. Representatives from across the science, art and Māori communities joined together
recently to share knowledge and ideas in the fight against kauri dieback.
The range of voices present enabled a detailed dive into a variety of projects and
practices. This included artists who have been exploring kauri history and environmental health; local protection initiatives; pioneering pig control strategies; consenting processes
for activities in forest areas; and exciting developments in science research and treatment; including Dr Monica Gerth and Chris Pairama on their collaborative mātauranga-guided
microbiology research and a new education initiative Te Kura o te Kauri.
Another important focus of the wānanga was to acknowledge that science and mātauranga stand side-by-side, and that solutions to an issue such as kauri dieback disease require
a complex, collaborative response. Artists and creative practices also have a key role in connecting people to the issue and providing expression.
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New remote sensing tools enhance
kauri dieback monitoring
New remote sensing technology could provide a faster and more detailed picture of the state of our
kauri forests, following a three-year research project funded by the Kauri Dieback Programme.
Since 2016, University of Canterbury (Te Whare “The advantage of the remote sensing technology is
Wānanga o Waitaha, Te Kura Ngahere School of that it can save both time and money by allowing us to
Forestry) PhD student Jane Meiforth has been more easily and objectively scan the forest canopy over
undertaking research using the technology to map the large areas and monitor changes over time,” she says.
location and wellbeing of kauri trees at three study Following the success of the trial, the technology will
sites in the Waitakere Ranges. now be used by Auckland Council across the entire
The work is a joint research project between the Waitakere Ranges to identify and monitor kauri health,
University and the University of Trier in Germany, and says Travis Ashcroft, of the Kauri Dieback Programme.
forms part of a wider range of scientific research “Remote sensing is an ideal complement to our
being funded and supported by the programme current field and aerial surveillance methods. It will
partners working to fight the disease. give the Programme partners an enhanced national
The remote sensing technology uses cameras fitted picture of the health of our kauri forests, and help to
with special optical sensors to scan the forest during set priorities for measures on the ground, such as
aerial surveys. Unlike standard photography, the track closures and phosphate injections, and allow us
cameras can detect wavelengths far beyond what the to monitor the effects.”
human eye can see. This data can then be combined The technology could also be used to monitor stress
with other information, such as laser measurements, levels among other native tree species, building a
that adds spatial information about the height, size more comprehensive picture of the general health
and density of the tree canopy, building a more of the forest. Remote sensing is already applied
comprehensive picture. successfully to monitor other tree diseases like
Photo: J. Meiforth.
“The first step in the remote sensing process is to Eucalypt Dieback in Australia and Sudden Oak Death
distinguish kauri from other canopy species, which in California. In New Zealand, the research is among
is the most difficult part of the analysis,” says Jane. the first of its kind to be used monitor tree disease in a
“Once that is done, standard multispectral ands native forest ecosystem.
or even satellite images can be used for ongoing Jane says next steps are to finalise and publish her
monitoring of stress symptoms in the canopy. Selected PhD student Jane Meiforth is undertaking remote sensing
research later this year. This research will help
band indices also allow us to detect the early stages of research in the Waitakere ranges to assist in the study of
inform discussions around a strategy for kauri remote kauri health.
kauri dieback disease. sensing monitoring.
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Significant kauri seed collection taking place
One of the biggest kauri seed collections to be undertaken in decades is happening now across the
upper North Island in an effort to identify trees that are resistant to kauri dieback.
The seed collection is part of the Scion-led Healthy Trees, Heathy Future (HTHF) programme, focused on
researching and combating several Phytophthora species, including the Phytophthora agathidicida pathogen that
causes kauri dieback.
This is the fourth year of seed collections in the HTHF programme and will be the biggest undertaken so far. The
aim is to collect from more than 500 trees across kauri lands to establish a resource for future research, screening
and propagation programmes.
Programme leader Dr Nari Williams explains: “By taking seed from mature trees, we’re hoping to get a better
understanding of the range of genetic resistance present. This is one part of understanding why and how some
trees succumb to dieback and others remain apparently disease-free.”
Fourteen mana whenua groups are working with researchers from Scion, Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research
and professional tree climbers from BioSense to collect seed from northern Northland to Tauranga.
Collectors use special gear to climb into the tree canopy to harvest cones. Kauri seeds are enclosed in the cones,
which then mature between February and April. Maturation is earliest in Northland and then moves south. It is
vital the cones are still on the tree so collectors can record which tree they came from, and go back to gather more
if the specimen is identified as being resistant.
Cones are then sent to Scion in Rotorua where some of the seed will be raised in a specially commissioned kauri
polyhouse within the Scion nursery, where strict hygiene precautions ensure it stays free of kauri dieback. Seed
not used this year will be placed into a seed bank for mana whenua to use in research or restoration.
When the seedlings are 15 months old, they are sent to Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research in Auckland where
Photo: BioSense
they are screened for resistance to kauri dieback. The plants are flooded with water containing
Phytophthora agathidicida to encourage infection. Researchers monitor them closely to see how the disease takes
hold and how long they survive after infection. The plants are also analysed to see what chemical reactions are
triggered, hoping to find one that may be effective at neutralising the disease.
Funding for the kauri stream of the HTHF programme is provided by the Ministry for Business, Innovation and
Employment and the Kauri Dieback Programme. Collaborators include Massey University, Manaaki Whenua, Plant Rongo Bentson collects kauri tree cones as part of the seed
and Food Research and Auckland University of Technology. The programme wraps up in September 2019 after six collection programme.
successful years, but the researchers hope to continue the work in partnership with mana whenua.
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Programme boost for Whangarei tracks Building a better picture of Auckland’s
kauri
A $125,000 grant from the Kauri Dieback Programme will enable Whangarei District Council to
complete the first of a series of kauri dieback disease prevention projects in the area this year. Aerial photography of forested areas over parts of Auckland
and the Hauraki Gulf has been completed during March and
will continue throughout April to help build a better picture
of native forest and show where healthy and diseased kauri
stands are.
The photography will take place over parts of the North Shore,
Waitākere Ranges, Manukau Lowlands, Waiheke, Hunua Lowlands,
Great Barrier and Little Barrier Islands, until 30 April.
Photo: Whangarei District Council.
The aim is to identify dead or dying kauri trees in order to manage
kauri dieback and obtain imagery for ecosystem management
purposes.
“This work will complement and inform our 5-yearly kauri health
surveys but not replace them,” says Lisa Tolich, Kauri Dieback Team
Manager at Auckland Council.
"Thanks to the Natural Environment Targeted Rate, we are now
better able to monitor our environment and detect change.”
A $125,000 funding boost from the Kauri Dieback Programme The plane will fly over these areas in north-south lines, taking photos
is helping upgrade tracks in the Whangarei community. from set points, at a precise height. The plane will change course if
areas of interest are seen so additional photographs can be taken,
before restarting the transects.
Council Parks and Recreation Technical Officer, “It is a good project all round because it will
Stuart Jackson, says the programme grant is make the tracks safer and more accessible for
funding protection for a grove of kauri on tracks people and much safer for the trees.
that cross Mackesy Bush, on the shoulders of “We plan to close one track that passes through
Parihaka. He says the disease is not visually the middle of the largest, most significant and
evident in Mackesy Bush, “but we are desperate vulnerable kauri grove, effectively isolating these
to do whatever we practically can to prevent trees from walkers.
Photo: Andrew Macdonald.
disease transmission.
“Track entry points and two kilometres of track
“There are about 2.5 kilometres of tracks in this will be upgraded to New Zealand’s ‘short walk’
bush, and some go right through kauri groves standard and diverted around kauri where
and over exposed kauri roots. Because these possible. Signs about the risk of KDB and the
tracks are muddy and un-surfaced, we fear need to keep to the tracks will be installed.
there is a real risk of the trees being exposed
“We have already designed, tendered and
to the disease, so we want to change that by
awarded the $422,715 contract and the tracks
installing new gravel surfaces and possibly some Aerial photography is underway across Auckland’s kauri
should be completed in May.”
boardwalks. lands to build a better picture of forest health.
www.kauridieback.co.nz ≤ HOME ≥ KauriKonnect Autumn 2019 7
Coromandel kids protecting national icons
Hardworking kids in the Coromandel are playing their part to save two iconic species in their backyard.
Formed in 2001, the Whenuakite Kiwicare group have As well as its trapping work, Janice says the
been getting stuck in to save both kiwi and kauri on organisation hosts school groups and others in
private and public land across the region. kauri lands, recently taking a group of 180 Auckland
This involves not only trapping rats and stoats to help schoolchildren through a local forest, showing them
boost kiwi numbers, but also educating visitors and how to use the kauri hygiene station and talking to them
school groups about kauri dieback and modelling good about the importance of protecting the environment
hygiene practices. from pests.
“Every dead animal pest and every clean boot is a step Janice also helps protect kauri growing on her own land
in the right direction,” says group committee member – and with her family maintains a “boot library” to help
Janice Hinds. And it’s these efforts over the last 18 years ensure the same pair of clean footwear is used by the
that have seen kiwi numbers swell from just 29 at the family every time they go near kauri.
beginning, up to 150 during its most recent survey. “You have shoes for different occasions, so why not
“As well as a pretty intense trapping programme, boots for kauri?” she says.
there’s a strong focus is getting the word out about kauri More information about the group can be found here.
dieback, and making people aware there is a problem – Best practice Information (and other resources) on how
and that we need to keep everything clean when going to humanely and safely trap introduced predators, can
into and out of the forest.” be found here. More information on use of traps and
The group currently has four kids, aged from six to animal welfare guidelines can also be found here.
Photo: Whenuakite Kiwicare.
11 years, who are very active and passionate about
protecting their natural environment, she says.
This involves managing trap lines running across some
3,500 hectares, including many areas of kauri forest –
making good forest hygiene a critical focus.
Children from the Whenuakite Kiwicare group are also
playing their part to protect kauri on the Coromandel.
www.kauridieback.co.nz ≤ HOME ≥ KauriKonnect Autumn 2019 8
About the kauri dieback recreation project
DOC upgrading Auckland tracks to prevent In 2014, the Government provided DOC with funding to
manage the human spread of kauri dieback on public
spread of kauri dieback conservation land. The Kauri Dieback Recreation Project
was established.
The Department of Conservation is upgrading three Auckland tracks to prevent the spread of To protect kauri, the project is taking the following
kauri dieback. approach:
This is part of DOC’s Kauri Dieback Recreation Project to prevent the spread of kauri dieback on public »» Upgrading tracks to protect kauri roots and eliminate
conservation land. Since 2014, DOC has upgraded 64 tracks and permanently closed 34 to protect kauri wet and muddy sections.
from this deadly disease. »» Developing and installing footwear cleaning stations
»» Introducing initiatives to change people’s behaviour,
“Our work to prevent kauri dieback spreading in Auckland is closely aligned with Auckland Council’s
as the evidence shows that people are the main vector
programme in the region to stop the spread of a disease that kills kauri of all ages,” says DOC Tāmaki
for the disease.
Makaurau Mainland Operations Manager Kirsty Prior.
»» Permanently closing some tracks.
The Omaha Cove Walkway, Beverly Price Loop Track and Waihunga Moir Hill Track will be closed during the
upgrade to keep the public, contractors and kauri safe.
The project has also surveyed the entire 735 km network
The Omaha Cove Track and Waihunga – Moir Hill Track will be closed for relatively short periods, of up to
of DOC managed tracks in kauri forests and identified
a week. The Beverly Price Loop Track will be closed for a longer period as it has long sections requiring an
186 tracks for possible upgrade or closure.
upgrade.
Contractors employed by DOC started work in late March. The work includes installing bark aggregate mix,
gravelling, fencing, boardwalks and stairways. All contractors must adhere to strict biosecurity protocols.
The exact closure and reopening dates for each track will be posted on the DOC website as each track is Videos explore special connection
upgraded. Dates are dependent on supply of materials, weather and other factors.
“This upgrade work is welcomed by the tens of thousands of people who walk these tracks,” says Kirsty.
with taonga
Two recent videos uploaded on Facebook provide a
“The upgrades are the safest option for kauri and enable visitors to continue enjoying these special places.” unique insight from the perspective of those working
“To keep kauri safe from kauri dieback everyone entering and leaving a track must use the cleaning stations to protect our environment and taonga species like
to clean their footwear and stay on the track.” kauri. Check out:
The southern section of the Okura Walkway – from Haigh Road to Dacre Cottage – has been closed since Kauri Dieback in Waipoua Forest feat.
May last year, to prevent the spread of kauri dieback. It will remain closed with planned upgrade work on Taoho Patuawa (Te Roroa)
hold until further notice. https://www.facebook.com/
watch/?v=2045648065732557
Harvesting tohorā
http://tinyurl.com/y2w6b6ox
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Science plan themes identify
future priorities
Six key themes will guide future kauri dieback research under a new science plan, developed in
December by the Strategic Science Advisory Group.
To date, close to 70 science and research programmes have been conducted under the Kauri Dieback
Programme across a range of themes, aimed at increasing our understanding and knowledge of this complex
disease, and developing new tools and treatments to fight it. But there is still more critical information
needed.
The new science plan builds on these efforts as it identifies short-term and long-term science needed to save
kauri, and expands on existing local and international knowledge, operational research and management.
The six key themes are:
Theme 1: Surveillance, detection, diagnostics and pathways, e.g. where is the pathogen, how does it spread,
and how do we detect it?
Theme 2: Biology of host(s) and pathogen(s), e.g how does the pathogen(s) interact with the host to cause
disease? How does the environment influence the disease?
Theme 3: Ecosystem impact and interactions, e.g. how does the disease impact on biodiversity, ecosystem
function and health and vice versa?
Theme 4: Te Ao Māori, e.g. how do we ensure that Māori requirements and needs in fighting kauri dieback
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are met, incorporating kaupapa and mātauranga Māori?
ManagementProgramme/
Theme 5: Building public/community engagement and social licence, e.g. how can people engage in, and
contribute to, all aspects of the programme?
Theme 6: Control and management, e.g. how do we manage the spread of the pathogen and impact of the
disease?
Successful implementation of the science plan relies on science organisations, iwi, government agencies, A huge thank you to Jenny and SOAR print in
and educational organisations working together to deliver the priority science. It will also require actively Auckland who recently supplied the Kauri Dieback
applying successful research findings into practice as quickly as possible. Programme with 20,000 Leaflets and 4,000 kids
The $8.75 million surge funding, announced last year by the Minister of Research, Science and Innovation activity books. These will be essential in helping
Hon. Megan Woods, will help tackle the higher priority research, but further funding will be required. raise awareness and stopping the spread of kauri
The SSAG, which comprises national and international experts and thought leaders from science dieback disease this summer!
organisations, iwi, government agencies, and educational organisations, will work closely with all parties to
ensure any research programmes undertaken are aligned with the science plan.
The kauri dieback science plan can be found here.
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