Hon Maggie Barry
Minister of Conservation
13 December 2015
Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has welcomed a new partnership which will help inform Chinese New Zealanders and Chinese tourists about the threat of kauri dieback disease.
Ms Barry joined with the Chinese Conservation Education Trust and the Kauri Dieback Programme to announce the $20,000 partnership at Arataki Visitor’s Centre in Auckland’s Waitakere Ranges today.
“Highlighting the value of our kauri forests and the threat posed by dieback to these forest giants among all our community – and all visitors to our nation ¬– is a vital part of the work of the Kauri Dieback Programme,” Ms Barry says.
“Chinese New Zealanders, and increasing numbers of tourists from China, enjoy visiting kauri forests as much as anyone, so it’s important that we ensure they know about the disease and how to prevent its spread.”
Visitors to kauri forests such as those around Arataki can unwittingly spread the spores which cause the deadly disease on dirty footwear and equipment.
“We can only stop the spread of kauri dieback if everyone – government, communities and individuals – works together and takes responsibility.”
Estella Lee, chairperson of the Chinese Conservation Education Trust, says the $20,000 grant will allow the trust to expand its awareness work.
“Through this grant, we will be able to get our kauri conservation messages to far more Chinese people,” she says.
Some of the money will be used to lead tours to kauri forests to highlight the disease and explain cleaning practices. The trust will also run competitions and community events to promote kauri dieback awareness.
This is the first community engagement project to be made possible by the generous $480,000 donation to the Kauri Dieback Programme from The Tindall and Aotearoa Foundations announced in June.
“All New Zealanders will benefit if kauri are protected and the spread of this deadly disease is reduced,” Ms Barry says.
DOC is investing more than $21.6 million to upgrade tracks through kauri forests, including the installation of 300 cleaning stations, where walkers can ensure their footwear is disinfected.
For more information on the Kauri Dieback Programme and the Chinese Conservation Education Trust, visit www.kauridieback.co.nz and www.ccet.org.nz
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