About Myrtle Rust

Myrtle rust is a serious fungal disease that attacks plants of the Myrtaceae family (Myrtle family), including many important native New Zealand species.

Myrtle rust was first detected on mainland New Zealand in May 2017. Since this time the disease has been found in a number of locations across the North Island.

The growth and spread of the disease is continuing to accelerate. The warm and humid summer conditions this year have provided conditions for fungal diseases to grow and spread, including high humidity and warm night time temperatures.

Efforts to manage myrtle rust are focused on slowing the spread of the disease. This relies in the nursery industry, MPI, DoC and the public to identify the disease, and to manage the disease when it is found. This may include removing affected plants, or through an alternative method.

What to do

• Be aware

  of the location of new infection sites, particularly within 10km of your nursery. NZPPI can provide information up to date about these sites.

• Continue to implement

  the myrtle rust management protocols and support your staff to follow the practices, even if you are not affected at the moment.

• Plan for your first response

  in the event that you find myrtle rust in, or near your nursery.

• Talk and share information

  with other nurseries and with your customers. It is important to build trust.

• Be prepared

  with accurate information for your customers and the public.

• Let NZPPI know what is happening and how we can help.

NZPPI's work

The NZPPI team has worked tirelessly to help businesses that have been affected by myrtle rust. This work has been widely acknowledged as it has benefited the nursery industry & the community. We are committed to continuing this work as the crisis develops. The spread of this disease may be out of our control, but there is still a lot that we can do to minimise its impact.

Join NZPPI

If you produce, distribute, or sell plants that are in the Myrtaceae family and you are not a member of NZPPI, we suggest that you take steps to join to ensure that you are able to access the information and support that you need to manage this disease and MPI moves towards long term management of the disease.

See our membership sign up process here.