Kaupapa: Myrtle Rustincursion Inrangitahua

3Paenga-whāwhā2017

KŌRERO

Kaupapa: Myrtle RustIncursion inRangitahua

Thedevastating fungal plant diseasemyrtle rust(Pucciniapsidii)has been found onRangitahua(Raoul Island), part of theKermadecIslandgroup, 1000kmnorth ofNew Zealand's North Island.

“Myrtle rust isnotknowntobe present inAotearoa yet;however, asithasnowreached our outer islandswe need to bevigilantand we need a plan,” says Melanie Mark-Shadbolt from Te Turi Whakamātaki, the Māori Biosecurity Network.

The severity of myrtle rustin Aotearoa is unknown, but it is likely to infect nativeplants in theMyrtaceaefamily such askānuka, mānuka,ramarama, rohutu, rātā and pōhutukawa, as well as introduced plants such asfeijoa and eucalypts. Myrtle rust spores are microscopic and can easily spread across large distances by wind. They can also be transported on contaminated clothing, equipment, insects, rain splashes and probably via cyclones.

In other countries, impacts ofthe pathogen have ranged from superficial temporary infections through to devastating outbreaks on highly susceptible threatened species.

“We believe strongly that we must make every effort to eradicate this disease in Aotearoa andin our sister and brother lands offshore,” explains Mark-Shadbolt.“Māori have ‘eyes on the ground’ and we believe our kaitiaki, whānau and their communities are best placed to identify the first signs of the disease on mainland Aotearoa.”

This means knowing how to recognise myrtle rust together with timely reporting of any suspected discoveries to help stop the spread of the disease. The most important role is to be prepared, so that in the event that myrtle rust arrives in Aotearoa, we can takean active role as of our taonga.Strategies may include establishing rahuito prevent increased contamination from people moving from infected sites to unaffected rohe andestablishing seed banks or nurseries away from natural sites.

The most important role is to be informed and current, so that in the event that myrtle rust arrives in Aotearoa, we are prepared and are able totakean active role as kaitiaki of our taonga.

TheMinistry for Primary Industries (MPI) andDepartment of Conservation DOC)areinvestigating the disease, assessingthe risks and deciding how best to respond to the Rangitahuaincursion. Te Turi Whakamātaki will offer mātauranga to support that response alongside, and in collaboration with, other Māori rōpū.

Potential impact

The likely distribution, severity and impact of myrtle rustonce it reaches the mainland of New Zealand are relatively unknown. However, we can assume that all New Zealand Myrtaceae species, including indigenous species, are at risk from myrtle rust infection. While the extent of the impact on their health is hard to predict, based on what has happened in other countries, it would very likely be devastating.

In Australia, the disease is threateningthe extinction of several taonga plant species of significance to Aboriginal Australians. Since its arrival in 2010, its host range has doubled to over 336 known myrtle rust hosts globally, and at least nine native New Zealand myrtaceae in exotic cultivation in Australia have been confirmed to be infected.

The potential economic and environmental impact of myrtle rust establishment in New Zealand has been addressed;however,the potential socio-cultural consequences for Māorihave not. Indigenous myrtaceae species are extensively utilised by Māori for a wide range of purposes including medicine, construction and food.Myrtaceae species are considered as taonga species and the Māori relationship with them is one of kaitiakitanga, maramataka andwhānaungatanga. These relationships are multifaceted and intimate, having been developed over more than 40 generations. In particular, the WAI 262 claim details the importance of pōhutukawa and mānuka to Māori.

Our Position:

Critical to the success of any response is a rapid and coordinated approach. Te Turi Whakamātaki believes that any risk assessment scenarios must include Māori investment in:

• plant propagation and cultivation of susceptible myrtle crops (e.g. nurseries to support marae and Māori-led revegetation and restoration programmes);
• mānuka cultivation and the associated mānuka honey industry;
• Te Waka Kai Ora, Tahuri Whenua and other Māori growing and organics rōpū (organic myrtle cultivated kai, e.g. feijoa, guava)and timber crops.

This approach helps to ensure continued delivery towards ‘He Kai Kei Aku Ringa – The Crown-Māori Economic Growth Partnership’ plan, which aims to grow the Māori economy and deliver prosperity to Māori growth and the national economy.

Additionally, Te Turi Whakamātaki would expect:

• Māori to be considered an equal partner, as afforded to them under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, in the development of incursion strategic priorities and action plans.
• A bi-cultural engagement model that uses key cultural principles and values to help build knowledge, empowerment and ownership of the threat and proposed response in Māori communities.
• Whānau, hapū, iwi and their communities recognised and empowered as vital in the identification of the presence of myrtle rust.
• Māori research priorities to be resourced.

Next Steps

Shortterm, high priority (6-12 months):

• Plan to keep all myrtle rust strains out of Aotearoa mainland.
• Research to determine the ecological impacts of the disease on taonga species in Aotearoa. For Te Turi Whakamātaki this may mean speeding up research scheduled to take place in South Africa looking at myrtle rust effects on taonga species with a Māori Masters student.
• Educate whānau, hapū and iwi on what to look for and how to report suspected incursions.
• Complete the seedbanking of susceptible taonga species to ensure their future survival

Mediumterm, medium priority (12-24 months)

• Review existing biosecurity regimes for improvements to detection/eradication of pests and pathogens, specifically myrtle rust.
• Involve non-governmental environmental organisations and tangata whenua in response management.
• Develop tools and mātauranga to protect vulnerable taonga ecosystems and species.

Our message for whānau

Te Turi Whakamātaki strongly encourage Māori to continue their practices of kaitiakitanga of natural resources. Whānau, hapū and iwi are needed as kaitiaki to help reduce impacts of any and all biosecurity threats including myrtle rust. Te Turi Whakamātaki calls to action kaitiaki to assist and lead in any response needed around this incursion, and asks whānau to be vigilant in reporting any suspected discoveries.

Te Turi Whakamātaki - Whakapapa

In 2016, Te Turi Whakamātaki researchers travelled the country meeting with whānau, hapū and iwi with interests across a range of commercial and environmental sectors and communities, and discussed with them the need for a national Māori biosecurity network. At the hui, myrtle rust was used as an exemplar of a likely disease that could, or would eventually, breachour borders. Whānau, rightly so, were mortified at the potential threat and possible consequences on their taonga plant species and asked us to establish the Network.

EncouragedbyMāoriinteresttoreviewthe preparedness of New Zealand’s biosecurity system for an incursion of this plant pathogen,we were able tosecure research funding from the Biological Heritage National Science Challenge to engagewith Māori pre-incursion, anddetermine what an effective response would look like.A major focus of the project is to make better use of surveillance data to inform incursion responses, such as the imminent arrival of myrtle rust to our shores. The research team recognise the potential impacts of the pathogen, and have established a research network ready to take action with their Australian and South African counterparts.

We want to acknowledge MPIand DOC for their quick diagnosis and for acknowledging the importance of Māori in this response.

Te Turi Whakamātaki Contacts:

• Dr NickWaipara, Plant Pathologist & Principal Advisor Biosecurity, 021-612-828, Tamaki-makaurau, Te Tai Tokerau, Hauraki regions.
• Tame Malcolm, Biosecurity Officer, Hauraki-Waikato, Te Waiariki, Mataatua, regions.
• Dr Nick Roskruge, Senior Lecturer in Horticulture, Taranaki and Te Tai Rawhiti regions.
• Alby Marsh, Māori Relationship Advisor – Plant & Food Research, 027 227 8204, Te Tai Hauauru, Ikaroa-Rawhiti, Manawatu, Wairarapa, Poneke.
• MelanieMark-Shadbolt, Māori Research Manager – Biological Heritage NSCBio-Protection, 027 486 9874, TeWaipounamu, Te Tau Ihu region.
• Dr Amanda Black, Soil Chemist, 021 319 731, TeWaipounamu, Te Tau Ihu regions.