Myrtle rust discovered on conservation land in Taranaki

Wednesday, 28 February 2018

Myrtle rust lesions in a ramarama tree (file photo).

Myrtle rust has been discovered in conservation land in North Taranaki - on the same day a restriction aimed at limiting its spread was lifted.

The discovery of the fungal disease on a ramarama plant beside the Kiwi Road Track on Mt Messenger was announced on Wednesday.

Myrtle rust is a fungal disease that is found on plants such as pohutukawa and manuka.

This was the same day that the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) lifted its eight-month-old plant movement ban, called a Controlled Area Notice, around Waitara.

The move came because the restrictions had not stopped the wind-blown disease from spreading beyond Taranaki.

This is the first find in a large tract of native bush and was discovered by staff from the New Zealand Transport Agency who were working in the area. They reported the sighting to MPI, a DOC spokesperson said.

The infected plants were rama rama, but close to swamp maire and rata, which were also susceptible. The infected plants were on conservation land and also iwi-owned land nearby.

DOC had temporarily closed the area to the public and was working with MPI, local iwi and other stakeholders, Phil Hancock, who is leading DOC's response, said.

'We're still investigating the extent of the outbreak and exploring options to contain any risk of spread.'

Since it was first discovered on mainland New Zealand in May 2017, myrtle rust has become widespread in urban areas of Taranaki, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and parts of Auckland.

The recent warm weather has been optimal for myrtle rust and, with the yellow powdery spots appearing on leaves and new plant shoots, new detections have increased in some areas.

'Our field staff have been focusing on surveillance operations on public conservation land in high risk areas, mainly in the North Island and upper South Island,' Hancock said.

'We've also been working with local iwi to secure the long-term future of taonga species, through the collection and banking of seed.'

The department had gathered the largest collection of native plant seeds from around the country in New Zealand's history, to preserve the plants from different regions.

Meanwhile, Forest & Bird has called for a dedicated, independent, and fully-funded biosecurity agency to protect the country's native forests.

'Myrtle rust is wind-borne, but the Controlled Area Notice was helping to contain and slow its spread,' Forest & Bird spokesperson, Dr Rebecca Stirnemann said.

'Today, MPI have walked away and abandoned the Department of Conservation, and the forests of Taranaki, to their fate. More regions are sure to follow. When it comes to protecting native species, MPI's response to kauri dieback and myrtle rust show they lack the will and expertise to act effectively.'

She said it was imperative the new Government urgently set up and funded a dedicated, expert, and independent biosecurity agency to deal with the new threats to native species that climate change would increasingly bring.

'It is possible to prevent and control these diseases, but MPI has repeatedly failed to do so, even when the risk is as serious as ecosystem collapse. It is past time to urgently recognise MPI's limited competence in protecting our native species from new diseases.'