Myrtle rust found in Chch - 'I wasn't very happy' says DOC staffer

The tree disease myrtle rust has been found in Ōtautahi-Christchurch - the farthest south an established infection has been discovered. Myrtle rust has been spreading rapidly across the country since it was first identified in 2017, attacking plants in the myrtle family including mānuka and pōhutukawa. Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research says Christchurch had generally been considered a low-risk environment for myrtle rust, which thrives in warm, moist areas. Max Towle talks to Department of Conservation technical advisor David Havell who says he "wasn't very happy" when he spotted the infected plant.