Myrtle rust case confirmed near Wellington's Zealandia eco-sanctuary

Tuesday, 27 March 2018

The discovery of myrtle rust in Wellington city is prompting calls for the public to be vigilant.

Wellington eco-sanctuary Zealandia is introducing surveillance measures after the city's first confirmed case of myrtle rust is found nearby.

Ministry for Primary Industries was investigating the discovery of the deadly tree fungus found in Highbury late last week.

Fungal disease myrtle rust has made its way to Wellington, with the city's first case found in Highbury last week.

Myrtle rust can affect native plants including pōhutukawa, mānuka, rāta and kānuka, as well as commercially-grown species like eucalyptus.

Severe infestations can kill affected plants and could have long-term impacts on the regeneration of young plants and seedlings, MPI said.

Zealandia is the world's first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary. (File photo)

Wellington City Council says myrtle rust could have a long-term impact on pōhutakawa-rich suburbs like Seatoun and Island Bay.

* MPI lifts ban on plant movement in Taranaki as myrtle rust spreads

* Government spends $9m to prevent the spread of myrtle rust**

Wellington City Council environment partnership leader Tim Park said it was 'inevitable' the fungus would eventually make its way to the capital.

However, he stressed the incursion could be better managed if Wellingtonians reported suspected infections to authorities.

'As a worst-case, long-term scenario, a serious infestation could change the face of pōhutukawa-rich suburbs like Seatoun and Island Bay.

'We're talking with counterparts in Australia, who have had years of experience dealing with myrtle rust, to understand how they are managing the threat and what it could mean for Wellington,' Park said.

The emergence of myrtle rust has prompted Zealandia to introduce surveillance to detect myrtle rust infections.

Its conservation and research manager Dr Danielle Shanahan said it was 'definitely a big concern… but in reality we still know very little about how it might affect our native forests.'

While last week's discovery was the first of its kind in Wellington city, around 30 cases have been found within the wider region - most in Hutt Valley.

While the fungus has spread quickly throughout the North Island, it could take years to seriously affect large trees.

HOW TO SPOT MYRTLE RUST

Bright yellow powdery eruptions on the underside of leaves in young plants
Eruptions on the both sides of the leaf (mature infection)
Brown/grey rust pustules on older lesions
Grey fuzzy spore growth on undersides of leaves
Some leaves may become buckled or twisted, and die off

SOURCE: Ministry for Primary Industries