A full-on biosecurity operation is underway in Kerikeri after the discovery of the plant disease myrtle rust in a local nursery.
Photo: RNZ/ Supplied
The pathogen has killed many native trees in Australia and could kill pohutukawa, rata and manuka in this country - as well as feijoas and guavas.
MPI's response director Geoff Gwyn says myrtle rust has never been eradicated successfully internationally but there are a lot of things they can do in the long term.
He says at the moment "we have a contained and isolated the find and we are throwing the kitchen sink at it."
