Ngā rākau taketake – combatting kauri dieback and myrtle rust

The New Zealand’s Biological Heritage National Science Challenge Ngā koiora tuku iho has received a three-year SSIF investment of $13.75 million for research to address kauri dieback and myrtle rust. A science platform is a combination of people, facilities, information and knowledge that provides a particular, ongoing science and innovation capability for New Zealand.

Description

Key areas of strategic focus for the investment will align with priorities identified by the kauri dieback and myrtle rust Strategic Science Advisory Groups and will include:

• Validation of a suite of tools to efficiently and accurately map the spread of KDB and MR – research with potential for immediate benefits for management of these diseases;
• Empowerment of communities/stakeholders to map and monitor the distribution of the two diseases and their impacts;
• Generation of new knowledge to establish areas of longer-term strategic science leading to development of novel management tools and solutions; and
• Development of new understanding of the human dimensions of forest health management, recognising that social-ecological ‘systems’ research is crucial to achieving greater impact in the long term.

For further information contact director@biologicalheritage.nz.

Forests as the ‘lungs’ of Aotearoa New Zealand provide numerous benefits – however, our forests are under threat. To address two of the most damaging plant diseases, kauri dieback (KDB) and myrtle rust (MR), Ngā Rākau Taketake (NRT) Saving our Iconic Trees from Kauri Dieback and Myrtle Rust, ran for five-years from 2019 to 2024. The $34.5 million strategic research platform was administered by New Zealand's Biological Heritage National Science Challenge - Ngā Koiora Tuku Iho (NZBH). Involving over 240 researchers across 30 organisations, NRT undertook mission-focused, transdisciplinary, Te Tiriti-led collaborative research, ranging from endeavours to expand knowledge through to initiatives to find practical solutions to immediate problems.

NRT was a genuine collaboration of researchers, mana whenua, stakeholders, and communities. Tasked to undertake crucial foundational and strategic research underpinning control and long-term management strategies for kauri dieback and myrtle rust, NRT made significant advancements, including delivering science, data, and solutions. A significant portion of NRT’s research was targeted at taking a systems approach working across communities and sectors to deliver knowledge and tools to enhance management and control options for saving kauri and myrtle, such as rongoā solutions for kauri health and kauri surveillance risk maps. A key aspect of NRT was partnership and resourcing of Māori, from programme and project leadership through to delivery of research, creating spaces for mātauranga-based research to flourish. By encouraging Māori-centred research and applying mātauranga Māori-derived solutions, the resilience of forest ecosystems affected by KDB and MR was enhanced.

NRT provided co-ordination to develop and apply surveillance and detection tools for mapping, forecasting spread, and controlling both diseases. Use of these tools, engagement with agencies and communities, and their empowerment, increased protection of our forests for future generations. Further specific achievements of NRT include in vitro methodologies for storing Myrtaceae germplasm, potentially safeguarding entire species; and conservation efforts for endangered species such as rātā moehau and kahikā rangitāhua, contributing to their population increase and conservation plans. NRT fostered the creation of myrtle rust risk prediction tools and the assembly of the world’s first chromosome-level genome for a Phytophthora pathogen; helped advance understanding of RNA interference for myrtle rust control and produced a prototype biosensor for rapid pathogen detection; and supported phosphite treatments for P. agathidicida and biodiscovery research utilising native plants to control KDB.

NRT achieved impact through the training of the next generation of biosecurity leaders and experts, fostering collaboration between Māori and non-Māori researchers; community outreach initiatives such as art exhibitions, educational materials, and hui to connect with the public, schools, and stakeholders. Research findings were shared through various channels, including peer-reviewed journals, conferences, social media, newsletters, and community events. NRT established resources such as inventories of 7 knowledge produced and a data repository to ensure accessibility and continuity of knowledge beyond the platform’s end.

Overall, Ngā Rākau Taketake not only advanced scientific understanding but also fostered collaboration, community engagement, and innovation in the management and protection of Aotearoa's forests against KDB and MR. The knowledge produced by NRT and all outputs are housed in the NZBH data repository with further information regarding the programme and contacts on the website.

Data Repository(external link) — New Zealand's Biological Heritage

Ngā Rākau Taketake(external link) — New Zealand's Biological Heritage

Forests are the ‘lungs’ of NZ, home to taonga providing a wealth of benefits to our people and environment. These forests are under threat.

Ngā Rākau Taketake (NRT), administered by New Zealand's Biological Heritage National Science Challenge - Ngā Koiora Tuku Iho, is a four-year $34.5 million strategic research platform to manage two plant pathogens: kauri dieback (KDB) and myrtle rust (MR). NRT is a true collaboration of researchers, mana whenua, stakeholders, and communities.

NRT comprises seven research themes under three impacts – Whakamana (Empower), Tiaki (Protect) and Whakahou (Restore) (see figure below) and aligns with Knowledge Advisory Group KDB and MR Strategic Science Plan priorities.NRT delivers science, data and solutions to more effectively:

• Develop and apply a suite of new surveillance and detection tools to map, predict, and manage KDB and MR;
• Ensure the sector works together to save taonga species under threat from KDB and MR;
• Increase Māori-centred research, applying mātauranga Māori-derived solutions to enhance forest ecosystem resilience; and
• Engage and empower agencies and communities to increase protection for our ngahere for future generations.

Key achievements FY23:

• Created digital monitoring frameworks empowering mana whenua for on-ground forest health assessment.
• Launched online Proof-of-absence calculator for kauri dieback and myrtle rust.
• Proof-of-concept remote detection KDB biosensor demonstrated.
• Established protocols for maire tawake propagation and Lophomyrtus/Neomyrtus seed storage.
• Wild rātā moehau quadrupled via iwi-led propagation, targeting 1,000 in three years.
• Tiakina Kauri incorporated NRT modelling/risk maps in their field surveillance planning.
• Community Kauri Ora wānanga facility opened at Waipapa, supporting rongoā Māori preparation and kaitiaki training.
• Knowledge Cultures special issue showcased 13 social science papers.
• Utilised agathidicida genome assembly for pathogen operation insights, Phytophthora interaction study.

New Zealand’s forests are the “lungs” or life of our country, filled with taonga that provide a wealth of benefits. Yet these forests are under threat.

Ngā Rākau Taketake (NRT) is a four-year strategic research platform finding new solutions for the management of two diseases: kauri dieback (KDB) and myrtle rust (MR). The programme was developed by researchers, mana whenua, stakeholders and communities and is administered by New Zealand’s Biological Heritage National Science Challenge – Ngā Koiora Tuku Iho.

NRT is focussed on three impact areas, framing research across seven interlinked themes aligning to priorities of the new Knowledge Advisory Group.

NRT delivers science, data and solutions enabling Aotearoa New Zealand to more effectively:

• Use a ‘systems’ approach to develop and apply a suite of new surveillance and detection tools to map, forecast, and control KDB and MR;
• Ensure the wider sector works together to save iconic taonga species under threat from KDB and MR;
• Increase Māori-centred research, applying mātauranga Māori-derived solutions to enhance forest ecosystem resilience; and
• Engage and empower agencies and communities to increase protection for our ngahere for future generations.

Key achievements in 2021 – 2022 include:

• High uptake of predictive models for MR and increased understanding of susceptible hosts;
• Produced 13 peer-reviewed articles and 24 other research outputs;
• Engaging and empowering mana whenua to uplift and undertake their own mātauranga-based science;
• New knowledge on the susceptibility and reproductive impacts of MR on native myrtles;
• Understanding seed development, germination, and storage behaviour of Syzygium maire (Myrtaceae);
• Training Māori practitioners for further application of rongoā solutions for kauri ora;
• Continued success with mana whenua partners, including Ngāti Kuri Trust Board leading a kaupapa Māori research aim.

New Zealand’s forests are the “lungs” or life of our country, filled with taonga that provide a wealth of benefits. Yet these forests are under threat. 

Ngā Rākau Taketake (NRT) – Saving Our Iconic Trees – is a four-year strategic research platform finding new solutions for management of two diseases; kauri dieback (KDB) and myrtle rust (MR). The programme was developed by researchers, stakeholders and communities and is administered by New Zealand’s Biological Heritage National Science Challenge - Ngā Koiora Tuku Iho.  

NRT is focussed on three impact areas, framing research across seven interlinked themes aligning to priorities of the Strategic Science Advisory Groups.

Ngā Rākau Taketake delivers science, data and solutions enabling Aotearoa New Zealand to more effectively:  

• Apply a ‘systems’ approach to develop and apply a suite of new surveillance and detection tools to map, forecast, and control KDB and MR; 
• Ensure the wider sector works together to save iconic taonga species under threat from KDB and MR;  
• Increase Māori-centredresearch, applying mātauranga Māori-derived solutions to enhance forest ecosystem resilience; and  
• Engage and empower agencies and communities to increase protection for our ngahere for future generations. 

Key achievements in 2020-21 include:  

• Demonstrated rongoā Māori (traditional Māori medicine) to have positive health impacts on kauri;
• First discovery of MR infecting mānuka seed capsules;
• Developed creative and innovative ways to engage public and mana whenua for action in ngahere ora (forest health);
• Partnered to understand the risk, spread and management of MR including in fungicide research and creation of risk models for MR; 
• Processed almost 800 soil samples to improve understanding of KDB; and 
• Grew capability in areas of expertise vital to management of KDB and MR. 

Watch a short animation about NRT at https://youtu.be/qYRbXGsJ8VU(external link) 

Ngā Rākau Taketake – Saving Our Iconic Trees – is a three-year strategic research investment finding new solutions for management of kauri dieback (KDB) and myrtle rust (MR). The programme was developed jointly by researchers, stakeholders, agencies and communities and is administered by New Zealand’s Biological Heritage National Science Challenge - Ngā koiora tuku iho.

Funding is allocated across seven themes aligning with priorities and recommendations of MR and KDB SSAGs. Themes redress historic under-funding in areas essential to deliver solutions: 

• Oranga: Māori-centred research, kaupapa Māori and research involving Māori; application of Mātauranga-derived solutions; 
• Mobilising for Action: Social science developing new communication tools and messages and understanding values driving sustained community action; 
• Risk assessment and ecosystem impacts:  Holistic risk assessment framework to guide management and restoration;
• Conservation and Restoration – supporting mana whenua-led restoration of at-risk species, and identifying optimal locations to protect and restore taonga plants.

Knowledge gaps around biology and spread of pathogens are addressed in Host, Pathogen & Environment; a novel Mātauranga Māori-based surveillance framework has been designed in Integrated Surveillance; and tools for detection and disinfection are under rapid development in Control, Protect, Cure. Field monitoring of susceptibility of at-risk myrtle species is done in collaboration with researchers from MBIE programme Beyond Myrtle Rust. Teams work collaboratively with DOC to deliver practical solutions including tikanga-based approaches to seed collection and storage.

Research teams, each with a Māori co-lead, include experienced and emerging researchers from a range of organisations and span a diversity of specialists not previously engaged in the fight against KDB and MR: psychologists, anthropologists, socio-economists, artists, and engineers. Research projects are co-designed with mana whenua and agencies including DOC, MPI and Regional Councils to facilitate research uptake and impact.

In November 2018, the Government allocated ‘surge’ investment of $8.75 million for kauri dieback (KDB) and $5M for myrtle rust (MR) research over three years. The investment is being administered through the New Zealand’s Biological Heritage National Science Challenge, Ngā koiora tuku iho, as a SSIF Platform.  The new programme is titled Ngā Rākau Taketake which talks to the historical connections Māori, and New Zealanders, have with our kauri and myrtaceae trees. “Taketake” talks to the permanence of that relationship. This platform aims to protect and restore that relationship and connection.

The BioHeritage Challenge immediately established a working group to increase our understanding of the highly fragmented research landscape, engage with stakeholders most impacted by KDB and MR, and identify areas needing urgent investment. This work built on from and extended previous “research stocktakes” undertaken by the BioHeritage Challenge and MPI.  A ‘Scoping Group’ was also established to focus on longer-term investment needs and identify research gaps requiring longer-term investment, in alignment with science plans developed by the KDB and MR Strategic Science Advisory Groups (SSAGs).  Working groups included representatives from the KDB/MR SSAGs, KDB Tangata Whenua Roopu, iwi representatives and researchers from a range of disciplines from Universities and CRIs. 

The Scoping Group has identified two areas for early investment: development of a mātauranga Māori-based surveillance framework; and incorporation of mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) into the protection of both kauri and myrtaceae trees, while increasing the holistic resilience of the forest ecosystem. These research areas were also recognised as a high priority by the Strategic Science Advisory Groups for myrtle rust and kauri dieback.

Additional information

Ngā Rākau Taketake(external link) — New Zealand's Biological Heritage

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Contact: Support@biologicalheritage.nz