Kauri Protection

Kaipātiki is home to many kauri trees that live in reserves, on properties or in other urban areas. Kauri (Agathis australis) are an ancient and precious keystone species that shape forest ecosystems and in the past covered much of Aotearoa’s upper North Island.

For some iwi kauri represent Tāne, the god of the forests, who separated his parents Ranginui and Papatūānuku to bring Te Ao Mārama. The health kauri also represents the health of the forest and people.

Kauri roots, tall trunks and thick branches span between the earth and the sky, they support the forest by sheltering and creating a home for their associate species. Kauri are one the largest and longest lived tree species in the world, they can live for over 1000 years. Kauri are ecosystem engineers, changing the environment around them by reducing soil nutrients.

This pages outlines the basics of kauri protection and how PFK are working to protect our local kauri trees. Use the quick links below to go to your section of interest.

Quick Links:

Why do we need to protect kauri?

Tane Mahuta. Source: iNaturalist, Kaakahu1991, CC-by-NC 4.0

In the past, the main threat to kauri was logging for timber which resulted in only 1% of kauri forests remaining today.

Now, kauri face another threat: In 2008 a novel threat to kauri was identified: the pathogen Phytophthora agathidicida, which causes kauri dieback disease. Since its identification, various groups including iwi, researchers, and community and government organisations have worked together to understand and mitigate the impacts of kauri dieback.

Kauri dieback is a disease that stops kauri trees from being able to take up nutrients from the soil, leading to the loss of leaves, branches, and eventual death. The pathogen lives in soil and water, and has two types of spores, zoospores and oospores. While the zoospores can be killed by disinfectants, the oospores can survive and remain dormant in soil for over 10 years. Other plants can carry kauri dieback, but kauri are the most detrimentally affected.

Kauri dieback was found in Kaipātiki in 2018, leading to the closure of two affected local reserves (Kauri Park and Muriel Fisher Reserve), and the implementation of preventative measures. This included the closure of higher-risk tracks, and the installation of numerous shoe cleaning stations throughout the community.

How do I recognise kauri dieback?

It may take years for kauri to show obvious symptoms of infection, so it is important to act as if all kauri, and areas with kauri, already have the pathogen present.

Common kauri dieback symptoms are gum bleeding, yellowing leaves, and canopy thinning. These symptoms can also be caused by other factors, so may not always indicate kauri dieback infection. However it is always best practice to always be cautions.

If you see a sick kauri tree in Kaipātiki or elsewhere, you can report it to the local council.

Kauri Dieback Symptoms

Gum Bleeding

Lesions may be found at the base of trunks, with white, opaque gum. Normal tree gum is clearer and more amber in colour.

Source: Tiakina Kauri licensed by MPI for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence

What can we do?

We can protect kauri through individual actions, when visiting reserves, working in the garden, or volunteering. This is why we encourage members of the Kaipātiki community and beyond to learn about kauri dieback; help to educate their friends and whānau, and take action to help stop the spread of this devastating disease.

Keep on reading to learn more about what Pest Free Kaipātiki's kauri protection work and how you can contribute to kauri protection.

Community

Being part of the local community in Kaipātiki, you can help protect kauri by using cleaning stations correctly, and following the scrub, check, spray and stay (on tracks) guidelines. This includes respecting track closures and rāhui in place. You can visit this site to check Auckland track closures for kauri protection. You can also join one of PFK’s Plant Pathogen Training Programs to increase your knowledge of kauri protection.

What does PFK do?

Aside from our Plant Pathogen Training Programs, PFK also goes out into the community to raise awareness about kauri dieback. Our PFK School Engagement team member visits local classrooms to teach kids about kauri protection and the importance of kauri trees and their ecosystem. With the help of EnviroSchools, we also bring the Kauri Pou Kaitiaki VR experience to students, providing an interactive and immersive new way to learn about kauri.

Pest Free Kaipātiki visits community events and talks to visitors about kauri protection and kauri dieback mitigation. Our guided walks through Kauri Glen and other Kaipātiki reserves are a great way to learn about kauri while walking through the ngahere.

Additionally, we are working on developing an online version of our Kauri Protection Workshop.

Volunteers

As people potentially working in reserves or areas with kauri, volunteers are encouraged to take part in a Plant Pathogen Training Program run by PFK.

These trainings include detailed descriptions of the disease, it's ecology, soil hygiene and the Auckland Council Standard Operation Procedure for working in kauri areas. Keep an eye out on our newsletter and social media for upcoming workshop dates.

Additional certification from Auckland Council is needed for volunteer work in high-risk areas.

Land-Owners

People with kauri on their property are advised to implement their own kauri protection procedures to mitigate the spread of kauri dieback to or from their property. Kauri dieback and the movement of kauri plant material a restricted pest under the National and Auckland Regional Pest Management Plan.

Some key things to think about are:

Try to stay away from kauri trees, especially if working with soil.
Consider visitors to your property and make them aware of any kauri protection precautions. This includes family, friends or contractors.
Consider the movement of water on your property.
Consider the movement of soil within, to and from your property, and how you can limit it.

For more information see Tiakina Kauri’s land-owner advice. Tiakina Kauri is part of Biosecurity New Zealand and partners with mana whenua in collaboration with the Department of Conservation (DOC) and regional councils.

If you have kauri on your property that appears sick, you can report it to your regional council. Click this link to go to Auckland Council's kauri protection page.

Image of Tāne Mahuta. Source: iNaturalist, Kaakahu1991, CC-by-NC.

Kauri Rescue:

PFK has established an agreement to work alongside Kauri Rescue, a non-profit organisation that works with homeowners to protect their kauri. They monitor trees and provide phosphate treatment to slow the effects of kauri dieback.

Phosphate treatment is known to reduce kauri dieback symptoms and reduce the pathogen in the tree roots and surrounding soil.

For more information and additional resources for landowners see the Kauri Rescue site.

Kauri Dieback Management Plan

You may be interested in developing a Management Plan for your home or reserve group. PFK has developed a tutorial to assist you with this process. Working through the tutorial will help you understand the level of detail needed in your plan.

Kauri Dieback Management Plans are proposals made by reserve groups outlining how they will work in reserves at risk of kauri dieback. The plan allows Auckland Council to know where and how you will be operating in the designated reserve, in order to gain approval. The plan you create will be unique to your reserve.

Click here for the mapping tutorial, using Auckland Council’s GeoMaps software. Regardless of how you create your maps, be they hand drawn or using ArcGIS or Google Maps, the required components are the same.

You may want to have Council’s Standard Operating Procedure open as you work through the tutorial: 2021 Standard Operating Procedures for Kauri Dieback Mitigation.

Kauri Diebck Science Stocktake
A collection of scientific peer-reviewed research on the topic of Kauri protection and health.

Kauri Rescue
An organisation supporting private landowners with kauri. Providing resources, research and phosphite treatments to help limit the spread of kauri dieback.

Full National Pest Management Plan for PA
Full document outlining the National Pest Management rules and obligations of those involved with kauri.

Kauri Ora Hygiene Principles Guide
A guide to the 6 principles of protecting kauri. Easy to follow explanations and helpful diagrams. Last updated 2024.

PFK School Teaching Resource
A two-page activity sheet related to the topic of kauri protection.

A Living Giant
A multimedia creation by Madeline Halpern and Hugh Hoagland that explores the story of kauri through a range of lenses.

Auckland Council Kauri Protection Page
Covers Auckland specific management work and regulations. Information for reporting sick kauri in Auckland.

Resources

Tiakina Kauri website
A comprehensive source of information on kauri protection. Including resources, research and advice for different activities around kauri.
Established within Biosecurity New Zealand, Tiakina Kauri (Kauri Protection Agency) invests in key kauri protection activities in partnership with mana whenua and collaborating agencies - the Department of Conservation (DOC) and regional councils across kauri lands (where kauri naturally grow - from Waikato to Te Tai Tokerau-Northland).

FAQ

Select the tab that best describes your question, or feel free to have a look through all of them.

If your question is not covered by these FAQs or in the information sections above, you email team@pfk.org.nz and we will do our best to provide you with an answer.

What is kauri dieback?

Kauri dieback is a disease caused by the pathogen Phytophthora agathidicida (PA). It is microscopic and lives and travels through soil and water.
By itself, PA can only travel 6cm. However, if carried by soil or water, it can spread great distances and between kauri trees.
Kauri dieback kills kauri trees by stopping them from retaining water and nutrients.

Is there a cure to kauri dieback?

There are no definite cures to kauri dieback, if a kauri becomes infected, it will eventually die.
However, phosphite has been found to slow the affects of kauri dieback and reduce PA in infected kauri tree roots and surrounding soil.

What is the correct order to use the cleaning stations?

The correct order is Scrub (remove all visible dirt), Spray (spray shoes and equipment with a disinfectant) and Stay on the tracks.
Note: Re-brushing shoes after spraying may result in soil being transferred back onto shoes.

Why should I stay on the tracks?

Staying on tracks reduces the movement of soil into or out of a forest. It also protects sensitive kauri roots, and helps you not get lost.
Kauri roots also extend much further than other trees, so even if you cannot see a kauri tree, you may still be in its rootzone.

Is Sterigene safe to use?

Sterigene is a mild disinfectant, chosen for it's ability to kill kauri dieback zoospores, while being less harmful to the environment that stronger products. The disinfectant is much weaker than household cleaning products or sanitisers.
This being said it is best to avoid direct contact with skin, and to remember that spraying is only one part of kauri hygiene, you must also remove all visible soil from footware and equiptment and stay on track.

Can I use Sterigene on my dog's paws?

We do not recommend using sterigene on dog paws. Instead, you can clean their paws with water and dog friendly soap, before and after you go for a walk. Make sure to keep them on track as well to reduce the movement of soil.

What do I do if a cleaning station is broken?

If you find a broken cleaning station you can report it to Auckland Council here.
- You will need to identify your location and the problem:

Confirm Location > "Furniture, fixtures, outdoor structures." > "Kauri dieback station is damaged, dirty, or needs a sanitizer refill."

If you are going for a walk, make sure to still brush and spray your shoes if possible, this may mean using the opposite spray gun or pressure pad. Remember removal of visible soil is the key.

What other things are being done to mitigate the spread of kauri dieback?

In addition to individual actions, other mitigation strategies are pest control, track closures and rāhui, track upgrades, research, education, protection plans and phosphite treatments.

What can I do to protect Kauri on my property?

The first step to protecting your kauri is to learn about kauri protection either through the PFK training program or through the resources linked above. Secondly, you can create a kauri protection management plan to stop the spread of kauri dieback to or from your property. Finally, share your knowledge with your friends and whānau, especially if they will be visiting your home. Share with them the importance protecting your tree(s) and Aotearoa's kauri forests.

I have sick kauri on my property, what do I do?

If a kauri on your property appears sick, first make sure you stay away from the tree and outside of the 'kauri hygiene zone' if possible. You can contact Auckland Council (kauri@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz) to request a kauri health assessment. You can also contact Kauri Rescue if you wish to participate in their monitoring and phosphite program.

Can I plant kauri on my property?

It is not recommended that you plant kauri on your property, unless you have bought seedlings from a Plant Pass certified nursery. If you want to plant kauri on your property, it is important to create a kauri protection management plan to prevent the spread of kauri dieback to or from your property. The movement of kauri plant material and soil is restricted under the Auckland Regional Pest Management Plan.
See here for more information on growing kauri.

Can I work in reserves with kauri?

Working in reserves with kauri is done on a case by case basis.
Volunteers who wish to carry out work in kauri reserves must create a Kauri Dieback Management Plan before proposing work to PFK and the Auckland Council. See our KD management plan section of this page.
All PFK volunteers who wish to work in reserves with kauri must take part in a kauri protection training program.

I want to volunteer with PFK, do I have to do a kauri protection training workshop?

All volunteers are encouraged to take part in a PFK kauri protection or plant pathogens training workshop.
Because PFK volunteers, tools and resources are used across Kaipātiki, there is a risk of PA (kauri dieback) spread. This makes understanding soil hygiene and PA very important.
The kauri protection training workshop is also an opportunity to learn more about why certain mitigation measures have been put in place.

Our reserve does not have kauri, do we have to make a kauri dieback management plan?

You are not required to make a kauri dieback management plan for work outside of kauri reserves.
However, due to the nature of PA and the historic cover of kauri in Kaipātiki, there is still a chance that dormant PA oospores are present in the soil.
A kauri dieback management plan can also contribute to the holistic understanding of your reserve, such as understanding how visitors and water move through the space.

Kauri Protection

Kaipātiki is home to many kauri trees that live in reserves, on properties or in other urban areas. Kauri (Agathis australis) are an ancient and precious keystone species that shape forest ecosystems and in the past covered much of Aotearoa’s upper North Island.

Quick Links:

Why do we need to protect kauri?

How do I recognise kauri dieback?

Kauri Dieback Symptoms

What can we do?

Community

Volunteers

Land-Owners

Kauri Rescue:

Kauri Dieback Management Plan

Kauri Diebck Science Stocktake A collection of scientific peer-reviewed research on the topic of Kauri protection and health.

Kauri Rescue An organisation supporting private landowners with kauri. Providing resources, research and phosphite treatments to help limit the spread of kauri dieback.

Full National Pest Management Plan for PA Full document outlining the National Pest Management rules and obligations of those involved with kauri.

Kauri Ora Hygiene Principles Guide A guide to the 6 principles of protecting kauri. Easy to follow explanations and helpful diagrams. Last updated 2024.

PFK School Teaching Resource A two-page activity sheet related to the topic of kauri protection.

A Living Giant A multimedia creation by Madeline Halpern and Hugh Hoagland that explores the story of kauri through a range of lenses.

Auckland Council Kauri Protection Page Covers Auckland specific management work and regulations. Information for reporting sick kauri in Auckland.

Resources

FAQ

What is kauri dieback?

Kauri dieback is a disease caused by the pathogen Phytophthora agathidicida (PA). It is microscopic and lives and travels through soil and water.

By itself, PA can only travel 6cm. However, if carried by soil or water, it can spread great distances and between kauri trees.

Kauri dieback kills kauri trees by stopping them from retaining water and nutrients.

​

Is there a cure to kauri dieback?

There are no definite cures to kauri dieback, if a kauri becomes infected, it will eventually die.

However, phosphite has been found to slow the affects of kauri dieback and reduce PA in infected kauri tree roots and surrounding soil.

​

What is the correct order to use the cleaning stations?

The correct order is Scrub (remove all visible dirt), Spray (spray shoes and equipment with a disinfectant) and Stay on the tracks.

Note: Re-brushing shoes after spraying may result in soil being transferred back onto shoes. ​

​​

Why should I stay on the tracks?

Staying on tracks reduces the movement of soil into or out of a forest. It also protects sensitive kauri roots, and helps you not get lost.​

Kauri roots also extend much further than other trees, so even if you cannot see a kauri tree, you may still be in its rootzone.

​​

Is Sterigene safe to use?​

Sterigene is a mild disinfectant, chosen for it's ability to kill kauri dieback zoospores, while being less harmful to the environment that stronger products. The disinfectant is much weaker than household cleaning products or sanitisers.

This being said it is best to avoid direct contact with skin, and to remember that spraying is only one part of kauri hygiene, you must also remove all visible soil from footware and equiptment and stay on track.​

​​

​Can I use Sterigene on my dog's paws?

We do not recommend using sterigene on dog paws. Instead, you can clean their paws with water and dog friendly soap, before and after you go for a walk. Make sure to keep them on track as well to reduce the movement of soil.​

​​

What do I do if a cleaning station is broken?​

If you find a broken cleaning station you can report it to Auckland Council here.

You will need to identify your location and the problem:

​​

Confirm Location > "Furniture, fixtures, outdoor structures." > "Kauri dieback station is damaged, dirty, or needs a sanitizer refill."

​

If you are going for a walk, make sure to still brush and spray your shoes if possible, this may mean using the opposite spray gun or pressure pad. Remember removal of visible soil is the key.​​​

​

What other things are being done to mitigate the spread of kauri dieback?

In addition to individual actions, other mitigation strategies are pest control, track closures and rāhui, track upgrades, research, education, protection plans and phosphite treatments.

​

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Kauri Diebck Science Stocktake
A collection of scientific peer-reviewed research on the topic of Kauri protection and health.

Kauri Rescue
An organisation supporting private landowners with kauri. Providing resources, research and phosphite treatments to help limit the spread of kauri dieback.

Full National Pest Management Plan for PA
Full document outlining the National Pest Management rules and obligations of those involved with kauri.

Kauri Ora Hygiene Principles Guide
A guide to the 6 principles of protecting kauri. Easy to follow explanations and helpful diagrams. Last updated 2024.

PFK School Teaching Resource
A two-page activity sheet related to the topic of kauri protection.

A Living Giant
A multimedia creation by Madeline Halpern and Hugh Hoagland that explores the story of kauri through a range of lenses.

Auckland Council Kauri Protection Page
Covers Auckland specific management work and regulations. Information for reporting sick kauri in Auckland.

Note: Re-brushing shoes after spraying may result in soil being transferred back onto shoes.

Staying on tracks reduces the movement of soil into or out of a forest. It also protects sensitive kauri roots, and helps you not get lost.

Is Sterigene safe to use?

This being said it is best to avoid direct contact with skin, and to remember that spraying is only one part of kauri hygiene, you must also remove all visible soil from footware and equiptment and stay on track.

Can I use Sterigene on my dog's paws?

We do not recommend using sterigene on dog paws. Instead, you can clean their paws with water and dog friendly soap, before and after you go for a walk. Make sure to keep them on track as well to reduce the movement of soil.

What do I do if a cleaning station is broken?

If you are going for a walk, make sure to still brush and spray your shoes if possible, this may mean using the opposite spray gun or pressure pad. Remember removal of visible soil is the key.

Join our mailing list
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter or sign up for volunteering opportunities