April 06, 2017
Rust threat to manuka boom
An advocate for Maori in biosecurity is urging people to get behind efforts to keep a plant pathogen that can kill manuka and other trees out of the New Zealand mainland.
The myrtle rust, which is of South American origin, has been spotted on Pohutukawa on Raoul Island.
It has already caused the extinction of several plant species in Australia.
Kevn Prime says the threat was discussed this week at a hui of Kahui Maori, an advisory group to the Biological Heritage National Science Challenge.
He says given the importance of manuka in food preparation, honey production and the regeneration of native forest, the myrtle can't be allowed to get established here.
" My concern in some areas they just accept that you can't do anything about it then they don't do anything about it. But I think we has Maori should be rattling the cages just to make noise to see that our politicians do see this as much a priority as they prioritise water and other things in our country," he says.
Kevin Prime says his first response on hearing of the myrtle rust was karakia.
FULL INTERVIEW WITH KEVIN PRIME
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