In the recent budget, the Government pledged over $26 million for protection of kauri forests and research.

With kauri PTA recently found in the Coromandel forests for the first time, the Government provided $10.9 million for DOC operational costs over 4 years, and $10.7 million over the same period for capital costs for 100 kms of track improvements, 5 kms of boardwalks and 300 hygiene stations. In addition, there is $4.9 million over 4 years for research, and coordination and surveillance of the disease response, which is carried out jointly with iwi, regional councils and Auckland Council.

New funding of $1.2 million a year will go to the Ministry of Primary Industries for its leadership and management of the programme.

Kauri dieback has been known for some years to be in DOC forests such as Waipoua, but this is the first substantial boost to funds for management. The funding will also continue the Joint Agency Response and research into the nature of the disease and its control.