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Confirmation of new myrtle rust discoveries in the Mangawhai and Kerikeri areas has prompted a plea from biosecurity officials for residents to continue to report any suspected cases of the serious fungal plant disease.
The latest discoveries come just a month after the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Department of Conservation (DOC) announced that – given the prevalence of the rust across susceptible parts of New Zealand – the fight against it was ‘changing gear’.
Announcing the changed approach, MPI spokesperson Dr Catherine Duthie said the wind-borne nature of the disease meant that despite an enormous national effort over the past year, which had seen more than 95,000 plants inspected and several thousand destroyed, containing the rust had not proved possible.
“We have signalled for a while the likely need to change gear from intensive surveillance and the removal and destruction of host plants to one where we look to manage the disease over the long term,”she said.
The Northland Regional Council (NRC) says over the past few days, tests have confirmed the presence of myrtle rust at several new sites in Kerikeri – one of the first mainland areas in New Zealand affected by the disease last year – and at Mangawhai.
NRC biosecurity manager Kane McElrea says the rust affects plants in the myrtle family, which includes iconic species like pohutukawa, manuka and rata. It’s also commonly found on ramarama, also known
as bubble leaf.
“With more than 50 infected trees in over 20 sites, covering six square kilometres in Kerikeri alone, news that the rust had reached other parts of Northland was disappointing, but not unexpected, given the ease with which it could spread,” Mr McElrea.
He says although the primary responsibility for managing myrtle rust remains with MPI, the NRC is still keen to work with the Ministry and the wider community wherever practically possible.
Northlanders are encouraged to continue to report any possible myrtle rust cases to MPI’s exotic pest and disease hotline: 0800 809 966.
Mr McElrea says people should check their properties for signs of the rust and take photographs of affected plants, but he stresses if they do discover what they think are myrtle rust symptoms, it’s extremely important not to touch the plant in case the disease’s microscopic spores are spread further.
Dr Duthie says MPI and DOC will be engaging with iwi, territorial authorities, and the plant and nursery industries to develop regional programmes to combat the disease.
Myrtle rust attacks young, soft, actively growing leaves, shoot tips and young stems. Initial symptoms are powdery, bright yellow or orange-yellow pustules appearing on leaves, tips and stems. The developing lesions may cause a deformation of the leaves and shoots and may result in plant death.
