What we are doing about kauri dieback

​Kauri is under threat

Kauri trees are under threat from kauri dieback disease (Phytophthora agathidicida).

The fungus-like organism is spread by just a pinhead of mud or soil, and infects the tree through its roots. 

People are major carriers of the disease, as are larger animals like dogs, pigs and goats. 

Visit the Keep Kauri Standing website for more information about kauri dieback.

What we are doing to reduce the spread of kauri dieback

Track closures

To protect healthy and at-risk kauri, we have closed a number of forested areas and tracks around the region.

These closures include:

• the forested areas of the Waitākere Ranges, with some exemptions
• a number of high-risk tracks in the Hunua Ranges, as well as in other parts of the Franklin Local Board area
• a number of high-risk tracks in the Kaipātiki Local Board area
• a few tracks on Waiheke Island.

For more information about what tracks are closed, see the Protect our kauri trees page.

Controlled Area Notices (CANs)

From 1 May 2018, Controlled Area Notices were put in place in parts of the Waitākere Ranges and the Hunua Ranges in order to open some tracks.

A Controlled Area Notice (or CAN) is part of the Biosecurity Act. Under the CAN, anyone entering the area must not have any visible soil on their footwear or equipment, and must use the hygiene stations at the track entrances and exits.

Visit the Ministry of Primary Industries' kauri dieback website for more information on the CAN.

Exemptions

Section 134 of the Biosecurity Act allows Auckland Council to issue exemptions to the Controlled Area Notice(s), generally for research, seed collecting or cultural harvesting.

You may also require other permits such as:

• an exemption from the Regional Pest Management Plan
• a permit to move unwanted organisms (issued by the Ministry for Primary Industries)
• landowner permission from Auckland Council for carrying out these activities in regional or local parks.

Apply for an exemption

To apply, complete the exemption form and email it to us at kauri@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

Surveillance and monitoring

We conduct regular surveys to check the state of our kauri.

In recent years, we have had surveys at:

• Waitākere Ranges Regional Park (2011, 2016, 2021)
• Hunua Ranges Regional Park and Āwhitu Peninsula (2012, 2017)
• Hauraki Gulf islands (2013)
• our local parks across Auckland (2014)
• northern regional parks (2015).

2021 Waitākere Ranges Kauri Population Health Monitoring Survey

We held a public online webinar, where people asked questions about the Waitakere Ranges and what we are doing to protect kauri in the area.

Watch a recording of the Waitākere Ranges Kauri Population Health Monitoring Survey webinar.

You can also download and read a copy of the questions and answers.

See Knowledge Auckland for a detailed technical report.

Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP)

The Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) is also created under the Biosecurity Act. The RPMP aims to prevent further spread of the disease across the region, especially by preventing spread to areas that appear to be disease free.

Under the RPMP, rules apply to protect our kauri forests from the risk of kauri dieback disease spreading further:

• You must not move kauri dieback within the region.
• You must not move kauri plant material, soil or goods contaminated with soil or dirt into or out of an area within three times the dripline of any kauri tree anywhere in the region.
• You must not move kauri plants or plant material to or among Hauraki Gulf islands.
• All commercial transport operators in the Hauraki Gulf must hold a Pest Free Warrant.
• Commercial passenger boat or aircraft exit or entry points to the Hauraki Gulf must provide passengers with access to Auckland Council hygiene stations and information.
• You must not move kauri plant material, soil or goods contaminated with soil or dirt into the Hunua kauri dieback exclusion zone unless sourced from a nursery supplier certified under the New Zealand Plant Production Biosecurity Scheme core standard and kauri dieback schedule.

Research

We work on research projects to investigate:

• how to detect kauri dieback from infected trees, contaminated soil and water
• how to treat the disease, and manage its symptoms
• the origins of the disease, and how it spreads
• the long-term impact on other species, and on forest ecology.

Education

We educate the public about the disease and its effects.

We work with communities to protect local kauri through advocacy work on regional parks. Come and talk to us at community events.

We also provide:

• resource material for schools
• activities for children
• fact sheets and standard operating procedures for contractors
• kauri care guide for landowners.

Trained sniffer dogs

Our pest detection dogs are trained to sniff out the microscopic pathogen (phytophthora agathidicida) that causes kauri dieback.

For more information, watch our video Kauri K9s

Waitākere Ranges rāhui

In December 2017, mana whenua Te Kawarau ā Maki placed a rāhui over Te Waonui-a-Tiriwa, the forested areas of the Waitākere Ranges.

The rāhui prohibits people from entering the area in order to preserve the environment until kauri dieback is under control.