A kauri protection worker hopes some of the biggest and oldest kauri trees in the country will be kept safe by new funding coming into effect this week.
Some of the new money will be spent on DNA sampling to hunt out a pathogen that causes kauri dieback. Photo: RNZ
Thirty-two million dollars has been released as part of the National Pest Management Plan.
The Manaia Forest Sanctuary in the Coromandel Peninsula alone has about 410 of the oldest trees within the kauri distribution area.
Some of the new money will be spent on DNA sampling to hunt out a pathogen that causes kauri dieback.
Waikato Regional Council's Kim Parker told RNZ that last year it received $1.28m to ensure the disease does not spread.
"It is really important to stop the spread of this pathogen," she said.
Parker said the council is already working with local communities and iwi to ensure action is being taken to try and protect the trees.
Integrated Catchment Management director Greg Ryan said Waikato Regional Council was committed to providing solutions to make it easier for landowners, community groups and industry to play a part in protecting this taonga.
