Land and stock owners
The National Plan for Kauri includes rules that apply to people with Kauri on land they live on or own, as well as to people who graze stock in or near a Kauri forest.
A summary of rules
If you have Kauri on the land you live on (or own)
- Learn to recognise disease symptoms. If your Kauri trees look unhealthy, you must let Tiakina Kauri know. (Rule 1) Please email Tiakina Kauri or your regional council.
- Note: If the PA pathogen is detected in your soil, please let Tiakina Kauri know.
Rule 1 helps improve understanding of the distribution of the PA pathogen in Aotearoa.
- From 2 August 2023, if you want to undertake any earthworks within a ‘Kauri hygiene zone’ (i.e. within 3x the radius of the dripline of a Kauri tree canopy – see pages 5 and 6 of the Land disturbance activities best practice guidelines, you will need to have an earthworks risk management plan. (Rule 5) Note: The full detail of this rule is available on pages 11-13 of the National PA Pest Management Plan. Tiakina Kauri is working with councils to incorporate Kauri protection measures into their existing earthworks risk management processes.
Rule 5 helps prevent the spread of the PA pathogen that could be caused by the movement of soil during earthworks activities.
You may also be asked to:
- Provide information to Tiakina Kauri to help manage the disease caused by the PA pathogen. (Rule 2) Note: The full detail of this rule is available on page 8 of the National PA Pest Management Plan.
Rule 2 helps Tiakina Kauri collect information that improves understanding of how the PA pathogen spreads.
- Develop a PA risk management plan if it is determined that such a plan is needed to help control the spread of – or limit the effects of – the disease caused by the PA pathogen on land you own or live on. (Rule 4) Note: The full detail of this rule is available on page 10 of the National PA Pest Management Plan. Tiakina Kauri and councils will work directly with landowners or land occupiers to identify areas in which a risk management plan would help stop the spread of PA.
Rule 4 enables people to work with Tiakina Kauri and councils to help reduce the risk of the PA pathogen spreading on their property if their property is already infected with PA or has a high risk of being infected.
If you own land with publicly accessible tracks or roads that go through Kauri forest areas
- The National Plan introduces minimum requirements for publicly accessible tracks and roads that go through Kauri forests. (Rule 10) Note: The full detail of this rule is available on page 14 of the National PA Pest Management Plan. If you have any questions about this rule, please email Tiakina Kauri.
Rule 10 helps minimise the risk of the PA pathogen being spread.
If you own farm animals or stock that graze in or near a Kauri forest
- If you have farm animals or stock within 500m of a PA positive site in a Kauri forest, you’ll need to make sure your stock can’t access that Kauri forest. (Rule 6) Note: The full detail of this rule is available on page 13 of the National PA Pest Management Plan. If this rule applies to your stock, councils will work with you to determine an appropriate solution.
Animals pose a significant risk of spreading the PA pathogen, particularly ungulates (hooved animals). Rule 6 helps minimise the chance of ungulates getting into a PA-positive site in a Kauri forest area and spreading the pathogen.
How will the new rules work?
Tiakina Kauri is helping people understand and comply with the new rules through education and awareness programmes.
In cases of clear and substantial or continued non-compliance with the rules, prosecution or infringement fees could be applied. Fees range from $300 (Rule 8) to $400 (Rule 9). An individual or corporation could also be charged under the Biosecurity Act 1993, which could result in a criminal conviction with a maximum fine of $5,000 for an individual and $15,000 for a corporation.