28 August 2015

Kauri check on Pirongia comes up clean

A sick-looking kauri tree on private land at Pirongia has been cleared of having kauri dieback disease, which authorities are keen to stop the further spread of into the Waikato region.

The owner of the land where the tree stands had become concerned recently that the kauri was affected by the pathogen that causes kauri dieback.

“It’s great news we’ve been able to rule kauri dieback out in this case but also excellent that the landowner contacted us for advice,” said the council’s kauri dieback project manager Kim Parker.

“Agencies battling the spread of this disease need the public to be our eyes and ears.”

Kauri are naturally found in the Waikato to about 38 degrees south – that’s roughly a line from Kawhia to Tauranga.

“So reports like the one from this landowner are really helpful when it comes to keeping on top of things as much as we can,” said Ms Parker.

In the Waikato, there are currently five confirmed sites on the Coromandel where kauri dieback is present and which are being monitored. But there is always a risk of other infection sites in the region.

“There is no known cure for kauri dieback so preventing its spread is the best way to protect the giants of the forest,” said Ms Parker.

“A key way it is spread is moving infected soil around. So washing and removing soil from boots, camping equipment and the wheels of vehicles, then disinfecting, after being in areas with kauri is one of the best ways of stopping the disease spreading.”

People concerned about a sick kauri should 0800 800 401.
ends

© Scoop Media