A second location of myrtle rust infection has been found in Auckland – this time in the city, on ramarama plants at a private property in St Lukes.
Myrtle rust is a fungus that attacks and can potentially seriously affect myrtle species plants including some significant natives such as pōhutukawa, ramarama, mānuka and rātā.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) says so far it appears ramarama and pōhutukawa are the most susceptible species in New Zealand.
Myrtle rust response controller Dr Catherine Duthie says of the 136 locations now known to be infected, 90% involve infection in ramarama or pōhutukawa plants.
"As with all our previous detections, we've placed movement controls on the new property to stop any myrtle plant material being moved off site.
"Our team on the ground will shortly remove all affected plants to contain any risk of spread."
Dr Duthie says it's vital that the team knows just how well-established myrtle rust 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 to MPI on 0800 80 99 66.
"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.
"If you believe you've found it, don't touch the plant or the rust, as this may spread it."
Dr Duthie says finding another infection in Auckland so soon after last week's detection 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 to managing it in partnership with others including local authorities, iwi, plant production industry and interested individuals.
"We'll be keeping people informed about any decisions and will provide the most up to date information about best practice in fighting this disease," Dr Duthie says.
Myrtle rust has previously been found in Taranaki, Te Puke, Waikato and Northland, and just last week, in Auckland for the first time.

Announcements
Job Offers
- Commercial Manager Spain
- Crop Farm Manager Sharjah
- Commercial Manager Soft Fruits
- Assistant Nursery Manager - Tasmania, Australia
- Tissue Culture Lab / Operations Manager - Victoria, Australia
- Irrigation Manager - Tasmania or Victoria
- Chief Executive Officer Hortifrut IG Berries
- Head of Operations - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Greenhouse grower / production manager - Brazil
- Experienced International Trade Specialist
"Tweeting Growers"
Top 5 -yesterday
- "Our goal is to fully automate horticulture, thereby unburdening growers"
- US (WA): After 48 years of brightening area gardens, Roozen’s Nursery has closed
- "The sensors of 30MHz are indispensable items in every grower’s toolbox"
- Flower distributor plans to build facility in Port St. Lucie and create 210 jobs
- US (OH): Ready for Cultivate'22?
Top 5 -last week
Top 5 -last month
Receive the daily newsletter in your email for free | Click here
Other news in this sector:
- 2022-06-30 Biological fungicide protects against soil-borne diseases such as Pythium
- 2022-06-29 Beneficial insects are exposed to insecticides through honeydew
- 2022-06-27 Cucurbit powdery mildew control in 2022
- 2022-06-24 Spray boom full of traps to catch pests
- 2022-06-22 "Master's thesis on fungal structures in agricultural systems reads like a novel"
- 2022-06-21 Tropical Thrips species intercepted on plant material in Ontario
- 2022-06-16 Paul Allen’s Institute aids South Africa in combating locust swarms
- 2022-06-15 Protected agriculture standard: important information about dye test audits for growers
- 2022-06-15 US: APHIS seeks public comment on proposed changes for revising pest regulation lists
- 2022-06-14 Spider lilies can be used to warn of tospovirus infections
- 2022-06-14 SBM Life Science France awarded three Jard'innov Trophies
- 2022-06-10 Japanese knotweed is increasingly causing problems in the Netherlands
- 2022-06-10 Florist warned about the risks of nitrogen fertilizers
- 2022-06-10 ZeroTol 2.0 helps reduce resistance in IPM programs
- 2022-06-08 Michigan asks public to help prevent spread of invasive pests
- 2022-06-08 Chrysal and Syngenta Flowers introduce Largo
- 2022-06-07 Developing methods to determine heavy metal contamination in hemp
- 2022-06-02 Peony viruses
- 2022-06-01 Decision-making for disease control strategies in ornamental heather production
- 2022-06-01 Greenfly, whitefly, slugs, snails, vine weevils, eelworms, and many others are no longer deemed to be 'pests'