How an Indigenous community responded to the incursion and spread of myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) that threatens culturally significant plant species – a case study from New Zealand
Amanda Black
A B D , Melanie Mark-Shadbolt A B , Gary Garner A , Jenny Green C , Tame Malcolm A , Alby Marsh A C , Hone Ropata C , Nick Waipara A C and Waitangi Wood A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Te Tira Whakamātaki – the Māori Biosecurity Network, 145 King Street, Rangiora 7400, Canterbury, New Zealand.
B Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, PO Box 85084, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand.
C Plant and Food Research, Private Bag 92169, Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
D Corresponding author. Email: amanda.black@lincoln.ac.nz
Pacific Conservation Biology 25(4) 348-354 https://doi.org/10.1071/PC18052
Submitted: 11 June 2018 Accepted: 20 January 2019 Published: 20 February 2019
Abstract
The incursion of the myrtle rust disease (Austropuccinia psidii) was officially confirmed on 3 May 2017 at a plant nursery located in Kerikeri, North Island, New Zealand. Since then the presence of myrtle rust has now been located throughout New Zealand, with additional outbreaks in Taranaki, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. It has been detected on a range of Myrtaceaea species including ramarama (Lophomyrtus bullata), pōhutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa), Monkey apple (Syzygium smithii), mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium), and Eucalyptus spp. (E. botryoides). Many of these species are iconic to the Indigenous Māori and have historical significance, being taonga (treasures). Since the incursions, Te Tira Whakamātaki (National Māori Biosecurity Network), have been informing Māori communities throughout New Zealand about the potential impacts of myrtle rust via a series of regional meetings (hui), email and social media that have included brief reports and recommendations. Feedback from these meetings and social media has strongly highlighted the desires of Māori communities to be active participants in decision-making and response plans for the management of myrtle rust as well as other pests and diseases. In this paper, we describe the journey of an Indigenous community approach to a modern biosecurity incursion.
Additional keywords: biosecurity, Indigenous communities, Māori
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