A public health specialist says the fact that a common fungus has been found on pohutukawa trees shouldn't concern the general public in New Zealand.
A study by an American high school student, Elan Miller, and a researcher from Duke University, Deborah Springer, found Cryptococcus gattii on pohutukawa trees in California.
The study found the fungus can cause lung problems and serious damage to a person's central nervous system.
A public health specialist from the University of Otago, Michael Baker, said the fungus rarely infected people.
"In New Zealand, we're seeing about one case per million population per year, so that's about four cases a year. And every couple of years someone dies from this infection but it's not something most people ever encounter."
Mr Baker said the fungus was found on hundreds of trees worldwide.
In New Zealand, the fungus is found mostly in eucalypts.
