Kauri Dieback

Introduction 

Venture into kauri country and get connected with these mighty forest giants. New Zealand kauri are the largest (by volume) and among the longest-living trees in the world. They hold a special place in Māori culture and in the hearts of all who stand before them.

Today, a disease known as kauri dieback is threatening the existence of this taonga species. During this field trip you will discover how kauri dieback is a socio-scientific problem, whereby science, expert knowledge, mātauranga Māori, and community engagement and action are all essential parts in managing the disease. Gear up for this special field trip, and become informed and inspired to take some conservation action!

kr182-intro-vid.mp4 from LEARNZ on Vimeo.

• Meet Andrew - LEARNZ field trip teacher
  

Location

This field trip will take you to two key destinations, Northland and Auckland. The kauri is a treasured feature of Northland. Northern iwi have a long association with Te Wao Nui a Tāne (the great realm of Tāne Mahuta) that goes back to the beginning of time. Kauri in Auckland are most notable out west, particularly in the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park. There are numerous trees in the Waitākeres infected with kauri dieback, and some key areas are now scientific testing sites. Auckland is also home to several laboratories where further analysis of kauri dieback is being carried out.

Travel day: Join Andrew and the ambassadors as they make their way to the starting point for this field trip. 

• Read the travel diary where Andrew goes hunting for kauri in Kerikeri.
• Check the ambassador pages for their field trip update.

Tuesday 8 May

Theme day 1: Kauri as a taonga - about kauri dieback and kauri kaitiaki.

• Read today's diary about the visit to Waipoua Forest with Te Roroa Iwi.
• Listen to a recording of today's web conference.
• Watch the videos for Tuesday.
• Check out the ambassador diaries to see what they thought about their day.

Theme day 2: Science of the disease - detecting kauri dieback, building knowledge and tools to manage kauri dieback.

• Read today's diary where we looked at some of the technology being used and developed to build knowledge around kauri dieback.
• Listen to a recording of today's web conference.
• Watch the videos for Wednesday.
• Check out the ambassador diaries to see how their day went.

Theme day 3: Changing behaviours - tools to control humans spreading kauri dieback, public messaging.

• Read today's diary which starts in a laboratory, continues in the Waitākere Ranges, then finishes at Titirangi School.
• Listen to a recording of today's web conference.
• Watch the videos for Thursday.
• Check out the ambassador diaries for their final thoughts on the field trip.

Whangārei Heads School receive their kauri tree prize - watch the video and read the newspaper article.

Students from Cambridge East School presented their learning from the field trip at assembly:

Students from Picton School have been busy with their kauri dieback study and other related projects - take a look here.