Kauri dieback treatment 'not a long-term solution'

Scientists are urging Northland landowners with kauri trees on their land to join a growing community action project to save them. Hundreds of Kauri are dead or dying from Waikato to the Far North, as a result of the spread of the fungal disease. Dr Ian Horner and his team have been trialling new approaches over the past six years, including injecting the diseased trees with phosphite fertilizer. For the past six months a small group of private landowners in west Auckland have also been dosing their trees under Dr Horner's supervision. Dr Horner told RNZ Northland reporter Lois Williams that while they're pleased with how successful the trial is so far, it's never going to be more than a short to medium term solution.