Kauri Ora: Landfill and contaminated material disposal
Advice for planners, land managers and contractors disposing of infected Kauri.
Kauri are under threat from an introduced soil-borne pathogen called Phytophthora agathidicida (PA).
PA spreads primarily through the movement of contaminated soil. Activities which involve soil and earth moving in high volumes poses a significant risk of spreading PA if not mitigated and disposed of appropriately.
This guide provides best practice guidance on the safe disposal of contaminated or suspected contaminated material when working around Kauri and Kauri Hygiene Zones, including when selecting a suitable disposal area for potentially contaminated material.
Risk management principles are used to determine the likelihood of PA spread for an activity or operation. This is crucial in containing the spread of PA pathogen, which causes disease and kills Kauri.
Disposal is defined as "moved off-site to an approved facility". In situ is defined as ‘disposed of in the original work site’. This may include the immediate surrounds of the work site. If material cannot be left in situ, then safe disposal of material off-site to a suitable landfill or other acceptable location is recommended.
The guidelines are not policy, but should be considered by planners, land managers and contractors when planning any operations. Please contact your local council or land management agency if there are local policy or regulatory constraints.
National Plan to protect kauri
A National Pest Management Plan is the strongest form of protection for Kauri available under the Biosecurity Act 1993. A National Plan came into effect in August 2022 and includes 10 rules to mitigate PA spread for high-risk activities.
Rules that apply to landfill and contaminated material disposal
Earthworks Risk Management Plan (ERMP)
If you want to undertake any earthworks within a Kauri Hygiene Zone, you must have an approved Earthworks Risk Management Plan in place prior to commencing work (Rule 5).
PA Risk Management Plans (PRMP)
If there are Kauri nearby, there is a risk of spreading PA which needs to be managed. For works outside of a Kauri Hygiene Zone but within a Kauri forest or near Kauri, you should develop and follow a PRMP for vehicle and machinery use or activities. This is a best practice recommendation. Additionally, if your property is already infected with PA or has a high risk of being infected, Tiakina Kauri may ask you to develop a PA Risk Management Plan to help reduce the risk of the PA pathogen
spreading on your property (Rule 4).
More information on the Plan and how it affects operations on your land.
More information about how to identify PA infection in Kauri.