Myrtle Rust w/ Mahajabeen Padamsee : March 28, 2023

Myrtle Rust is a windbourne fungal disease that spreads via wind and effects many of our endemic myrtle species including Pohutukawa, Manuka and Kanuka. This summer has marked the worst spread of the disease so far, with infected Pohutukawa trees being found on Rangitoto Island - one of the largest Pohutukawa forests in the world. This week on the Tuesday Wire Milly speaks to Mahajabeen Padamsee from the University of Auckland about what the disease is, and how to prevent losing some of our endemic myrtles that are very important to our nation.