A serious fungal disease which affects plants has been found on Mauao.
Myrtle rust attacks plants in the myrtle family.
Some of Aotearoa's most iconic plants are vulnerable to the disease, such as pōhutukawa, mānuka, rātā, swamp maire and ramarama.
Mauao Trust confirmed the presence of myrtle rust on the landmark in a Facebook post.
It says the trust met with scientists from Scion, who are "working to analyse" the rust which is now "unfortunately present" on Mauao.
Research is being done to help prevent the spread.
"The best thing we can all do to stop the spread at this stage is keeping to the tracks. Please get that message out there."
Myrtle rust was first found in New Zealand in 2017. Since then, it has "rapidly spread" according to the Ministry for Primary Industries.
People who spot the disease on Mauao's pōhutukawa are encouraged to send a photo the Mauao Trust, along with either a GPS location or one of the nearby numbers displayed on steps and seating.
MPI also has steps to follow if you suspect the disease has been found.
"It is important to understand where myrtle rust has spread to and where it is active. You can help by looking out for signs of myrtle rust," says MPI.
If you suspect you have found the disease:
- Don't touch it
- Take a clear in-focus photograph
- Submit the photograph to iNaturalist.
"Make sure you label your finds as myrtle rust, noting what host plant it has been found on. This information helps experts confirm if the signs are correct."
2 comments
BUGGER
Posted on 17-03-2023 23:08 | By The Caveman
But its ALL over the BOP. And regretfully NOTHING will stop it spreading over ALL of the Mount including that little hill !!
Here comes the public exclusion
Posted on 18-03-2023 09:10 | By Murray.Guy
My first thoughts: The 'gifting of Mauao to local iwi' came with a requirement, a condition, to ensure 'free and unfettered access to Mauao in perpetuity'. With the passing of time we have witnessed an increase in the community being denied access and or restricted access for all manner of reasons previously largely unheard of. We have the removal of memorials and the ballooning of ratepayer funded cultural dressings - despite (like covid) myrtle rust being basically dispersed everywhere, I will NOT be surprised if this is used as a tool, a manufactured excuse, to further disenfranchise the public, to restrict access to Mauao the public at the same time as extract even more from ratepayers, a breach of the gifting agreement.
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