Advice on Myrtle Rust

To: Hon Tama Potaka, Minister of Conservation
Date: 17 May 2024

The New Zealand Conservation Authority (Authority) is responsible for providing you with
independent advice on conservation matters of national significance. With this function, the
Authority would like to express their concern around the lack of an active government funded
programme to manage Myrtle Rust and its dangerous effects.

After the discovery of Myrtle Rust in 2017, the Ministry for Primary Industries established the
Myrtle Rust Strategic Science Advisory Group and funded more than twenty research
programmes to provide knowledge and practical insights about managing this menacing
disease. These research programmes all ended in mid-2019.

At their meeting on 23 February 2024, the Authority met with Daniel Patrick and Melanie
Mark-Shadbolt, who presented to the members on the work of the Biological Heritage
National Science Challenge (Challenge). Among many other valuable biodiversity and
biosecurity research projects, the Challenge has been coordinating a programme on Myrtle
Rust. Unfortunately, the Challenge is scheduled to end on 30 June 2024 and with the end of
the Challenge the studies on Myrtle Rust will also cease. There is currently no other Myrtle
Rust management programme in plan after this date.

Considering the rate at which this highly contagious disease is spreading, the Authority
would like to stress the urgent need to channel funds towards initiatives focused on
protecting Aotearoa’s biodiversity from the dangers of Myrtle Rust.

The Authority strongly support the mahi of the Challenge and its work on the Myrtle Rust
issue, being mission focused, development of cultural intelligence through engagement with
mana whenua communities and building an ecosystem of research collaboration that has
been groundbreaking. We suggest this provides a strong case for funding the Challenge’s
research programmes to continue after its scheduled end.