Have you heard about kauri dieback? It’s a disease caused by phytophthora taxon agathis (otherwise known as PTA) and it’s nearly always fatal for kauri trees.
Soar sponsors the ‘Keep Kauri Standing’ campaign, which is educating New Zealanders about how to avoid spreading kauri dieback disease when walking in North Island forests.
At the moment, prevention is the only solution. Scientists are working on the problem, but there is no cure yet.
When you’re hiking in Auckland’s forests this summer, here’s what you can do to protect kauri that aren’t yet infected:
- Make sure shoes, tyres and equipment are cleaned to remove all visible soil and plant material before AND after visiting kauri forest
- Use cleaning stations installed on major tracks: scrub to remove all soil and spray with disinfectant
- Stay on the track and off kauri roots
- Keep your dog on a leash at all times
You can find out more about kauri dieback and how you could help at www.kauridieback.co.nz
