Titirangi Ratepayers Are Caring for Our Kauri

The Titirangi Ratepayers and Residents Association and Auckland Council are hosting a public meeting to inform people about the best way to keep their kauri healthy, manage sick trees and avoid the spread of kauri dieback disease.

In response to widespread public concern about the devastating effects of kauri dieback disease in the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area, and elsewhere in the Auckland Region, the group feels that more information needs to be shared.

“We want to give people the knowledge they need to better protect their healthy trees and the hope that they can manage any diseased trees on their property” says Chair Mels Barton.

“In Titirangi there are so many sick and dying kauri trees that the situation feels hopeless, but it isn’t. So we want to empower landowners and anyone coming onto their property with knowledge and give them hope that they can deal with their own trees health in a positive and constructive way. If we all work together we can stop the spread and keep kauri healthy in our community.”

Auckland Council’s newly appointed Kauri Dieback Community Coordinator for the Waitakere Ranges, Christine Rose, will speak at the meeting, along with Auckland Council’s Principal Biosecurity Officer Dr Nick Waipara, Principal Ranger for the Western Parks Stephen Bell and Chair of The Tree Council Sean Freeman.

Mels wants the public to get practical advice and support from the attending the meeting.
“The idea is to give people useful guidance on simple things they can do to keep their kauri healthy and avoid bringing the disease onto their property. If they have sick trees then there are different actions they can take to manage that situation, support their trees and avoid spreading the disease. We also want people to feel empowered to take the message out to their community and get others on board.”

“Everyone loves kauri trees and we all know how important it is to keep disease-free trees healthy for the future. Help is available and research into the disease is ongoing so there is hope. We want to upskill our community so we all have a good level of knowledge and can work together to protect our forest environment.”

Landowners, residents, contractors, tradespeople, gardeners, arborists, landscapers, builders, plumbers, dog walkers, runners, trampers and cyclists are all encouraged to attend to find out what they can do to help care for our kauri.

The meeting takes place on Monday 8 June at Kelston Community Centre, Awaroa Rd, Glendene starting at 7pm. All are welcome.

ENDS

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