Category: News

A find of myrtle rust on a hedge in residential Christchurch marks the first report of the deadly disease on a host that was not newly planted in the region.

Scientists have sequenced the genome of the fungus which causes the disease myrtle rust, Austropuccinia psidii.

A new collaborate effort between Auckland Council, mana whenua and researchers is underway to monitor kauri dieback in the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park, with plans to survey up to 3,500 kauri trees for signs of the disease.

A new report on opportunities for increasing investment into projects and activities that preserve, support and expand Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique biological heritage.

Despite physical improvements, degraded aquatic communities in restored streams tend to persist.

Updates from the Conservation and Restoration team on the mahi they’re doing to safeguard trees that are impacted by myrtle rust and kauri dieback.

New research has shown that invasive wasp species are sharing resources, allowing them to coexist.

Without taking into consideration the impact that a changing climate could have on both native and non-native species, the benefits of pest control efforts could be lost. 

Alby Marsh is working with researchers and communities to build relationships and solutions that will help in the fight against myrtle rust.

As a co-lead for the Ngā Rākau Taketake investment Mobilising for Action, Associate Professor Natasha Tassell-Matamua contributes a wealth of knowledge on the connection between te taiao and well-being.

After having their funding from Auckland Council suspended early last year due to Covid-19, things are beginning to look up for Kauri Rescue again after becoming an independent charitable trust. We had a chat with Dr Mels Barton to find out what they’ve been up to lately.

In January this year we welcomed our new co-director Daniel Patrick to the team, with a pōwhiri at the Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Tamaki site. Now that he’s had a month to settle into his new Tamaki based role, we sat down to learn more about him.

We welcome Dr Carwyn Jones to the team as a co-lead for SO7: Adaptive Governance and Policy. 

A new paper has been published looking into how we can preserve local Māori terms for species which are in decline. 

The challenge are excited to be contributing to developing a quality assurance framework for citizen science data. Read more here.

The team behind SO1 has been expanding, and they’re on the search for a Data Infrastructure Engineer.