Contractors

The National Plan for the protection of Kauri

In August 2022, a National Plan was launched to help protect Kauri from the PA pathogen. The National Plan includes 10 rules that apply to anyone who goes into Kauri forests, grows Kauri, or lives or works around Kauri.

For more information, visit www.kauriprotection.co.nz/national-plan 

Here’s how to protect Kauri while carrying out civil works:

• Stay out of Kauri forests when the ground is wet.
• Arrive clean, stay clean, leave clean. Clean your footwear and all gear that will touch the forest floor, so it is dirt-free before you enter and leave the forest.*
• Make Kauri protection second nature in the workplace, supported by team leaders and project managers.
• Know how to identify Kauri on the worksite. If you see any any sick Kauri, please report to Tiakina Kauri, your regional council or the Department of Conservation.

*If you go off-track and don’t clean these items, you could receive an infringement notice and fine, or a criminal conviction, according to rule 8 of the National Plan for the protection of Kauri.

Earthworks Risk Management Plan

If you want to undertake any earthworks within a Kauri Hygiene Zone, you must have an approved Earthworks Risk Management Plan. This is Rule 5 of the National Pest Management Plan legislation.

Key components include:

• Procedures for cleaning vehicles, machinery, equipment, footwear and clothing so they are dirt-free and disinfected before and after going into or near Kauri areas.
• Procedures for cleaning to prevent PA from being introduced to, or spread from, the site, including guidance about wash-down areas, dirty machinery, and vehicle hygiene stations.
• If you own land with publicly accessible tracks or roads that go through Kauri forest areas, Rule 10 applies.  The National Plan has minimum requirements for publicly accessible tracks and roads that go through Kauri forest areas.

PA Risk Management Plan

Under Rule 4, areas that are particularly at risk of PA introduction or spread may need to develop a PA Risk Management Plan with Tiakina Kauri, an authorised person or local council. A PA Risk Management Plan identifies all the ways dirt can be moved onto a property, and how to manage each one. It is recommended as best practice to have one even if it’s not required by law. Check to see if the landowner or occupier has a plan and provides basic training or site inductions for staff.