An eagle-eyed “insider” who did all the right things has helped stop an Australian invader from potentially causing harm to some of Mt Albert’s finest trees.
He spotted yellow on the leaves of five ramarama plants in a St Lukes garden and thought it could be myrtle rust – the product of a wind-borne fungus carried across the Tasman Sea, with the potential to wipe out some New Zealand tree species.
His vigilance led to the second Auckland discovery of the disease, allowing a Ministry for Primary Industries team to move swiftly to eliminate the local infection, end the risk of it spreading and push the publicity button to ward off complacency.
But the discovery was pure chance, it seems – the spotter with a keen eye for danger works for the ministry and wasn’t actively looking for signs of the disease. It appears he simply saw trouble from the footpath, and then phoned in with pictures.
The ministry gave no details of the precise locality, though made it clear a St Lukes discovery did not mean this area could be the centre of an outbreak.
Myrtle rust presents as a yellow fungus and is a serious disease affecting plants in the myrtle family. It poses risks to pōhutukawa, mānuka and rātā as well as some common garden plants such as ramarama and lilly pilly.
The ministry’s advice: if you think you’ve seen myrtle rust, don’t touch it, take a photo, and call 0800 80 99 66.
The St Lukes find is the second in Auckland after the disease was discovered on several hundred ramarama plants at a commercial plant production property in Waimauku last week. But it has been detected in 134 spots in Taranaki, Te Puke, Waikato and Northland,
The disease is widespread on the Australian east coast and strong winds carry the fungus to New Zealand where, in warmer, humid weather, particles can settle on myrtle family leaves and germinate. It does not survive on plants and trees outside that family.
Afflicted trees and plants, especially younger ones, can die, and if unchecked, the process can start a whole new cycle – sending New Zealand-grown spores on our winds off to cause damage locally.
Myrtle rust response controller Dr Catherine Duthie says it’s vital the ministry team knows just how well established the disease is in the Auckland region to help determine what is feasible in terms of future control.
“Auckland is a big place and we can’t check everywhere. We encourage all Aucklanders to look particularly at ramarama and pōhutukawa plants in their gardens and public areas and report any signs of the distinctive yellow fungus.
“It’s important you don’t touch the plant or the rust, as this may spread it. If possible, get a good photo of the plant and the yellow patches, and contact us. We’ll look after it from there.”
Dr Duthie says finding another infection in Auckland is disappointing but also expected.
“While myrtle rust has been relatively dormant over the winter months, we have been expecting new infections to be identified as the weather warms up and the fungus begins to release spores again.
“We are now considering what this new find means to the future management of the fungus. It may well mean that we have to review our tactics and prepare for a longer-term approach.”
Bruce Morris
