Kauri dieback disease found in tree near Mahurangi College, Warkworth

Thursday, 21 March 2019

Park rangers and contractors are working to reopen the Kitekite track in the wake of the kauri dieback track closures (video first published December 2018).

Trees in Warkworth are being fenced off after a tree near Mahurangi College was confirmed to have kauri dieback disease.

The tree, located behind the college, has been fenced off, along with others nearby, as the risk of the disease spreading further is high.

Lisa Tolich, Auckland Council's kauri dieback manager, said this had been done to keep people away from the area, with many students walking through it.

Kauri dieback disease is spread by just a pinhead of mud or soil carried by people or animals (file photo).

The council has taken soil samples from Falls Rd Esplanade Reserve and View Rd Bush Reserve immediately adjacent to the site to determine if the disease had spread beyond the infected tree.

* Track in Clevedon Scenic Reserve closed over kauri dieback fears

* Tracks and reserves on Auckland's North Shore to close because of kauri dieback disease**

The infected tree behind Mahurangi College and other trees nearby are being fenced off as a precautionary measure to ensure the disease does not spread.

'Fortunately, the kauri in the reserves are in isolation and are not located on any tracks.'

Auckland Council would be working with the school on a programme for some of its students to carry out protection work in View Rd Bush Reserve, Tolich said.

Visitors to kauri forest should clean their footwear and equipment before entering or leaving.

Students would also learn more about kauri dieback disease and what people could do to stop its spread.

As a result of the discovery, the Rodney Local Board would be considering the next steps in protection measures for kauri in the area.

Chairwoman Beth Houlbrooke described the discovery as 'disappointing' but said kauri protection was a priority for the area.

'As a local board, we continue to work hard alongside the community and council on proactive measures to protect our precious kauri,' she said.

'It's fantastic to see the next generation getting involved and educated about this deadly disease and what we can all do to help.'

There are 44 local parks or reserves which contain kauri ecosystems in the local board's area.

Infected kauri trees have previously been identified at Duck Creek in Warkworth and Morrison Scenic Reserve in Kaipara Flats.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Visitors to kauri forest should clean their footwear and equipment before entering or leaving
Keep to open tracks