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1353 days ago

Kauri health survey Waitākere Ranges

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

A new kauri monitoring programme has been launched in the Waitakere Ranges.

Auckland Council workers are surveying healthy trees as part of their study into kauri dieback disease.

They are investigating the impacts of the disease on individual trees and the wider kauri population.

Auckland Council kauri dieback team manager Lisa Tolich said new remote sensing technology had given the council a good estimate of how many kauri trees spanned the ranges.

The team had drawn a sample of trees to survey.

“We are giving 3500 kauri in the Waitākere Ranges a full health check and will continue monitoring these specific trees for years to come,” Tolich said.

“The trees have been randomly selected from the overall population so field teams don’t know going in whether they’ll be assessing healthy or diseased trees.

“This is important because it means we can build a picture of what’s happening across the entire population – not just the areas where we know the pathogen is already present.”

Data collected will identify risks to tree health associated with the locations, environment and other factors such as changing climate.

Survey findings will help the council assess how well precautionary measures are working and if any adjustments are needed.

Funding for the monitoring programme comes from the Natural Environment Targeted Rate at an expected cost of between $650,000 and $700,000.

This includes the design and delivery of the Waitākere Ranges Surveillance programme between 2020-2022.

Environment and Climate Change Committee chair Richard Hills said the investment was another step towards helping protect and preserve kauri forests.

“Kauri dieback disease is unfortunately not going away and the more we can find out about the disease, through robust processes like our surveillance and monitoring programmes, the better placed we are to protect our native taonga now and for generations to come.”

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Poll: Are quality products on the decline?

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Gift-giving looks a lot different these days when you can pick up super-cheap goods made overseas. But do they last?

Do you have any old items like appliances, electronics or clothing that have stood the test of time? Share below!

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Are quality products on the decline?
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  • 7.2% No
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Poll: Would you rather:

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Tell us which upgrade would transform your bedroom into the perfect retreat! Drop your answer below and let’s see what everyone’s dreaming of for their sleep haven!

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Would you rather:
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9 hours ago

Kmart duvet recall

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Kmart will be recalling a number of their Anko duvet sets.

What you need to know:
- The recall is involving Christmas-themed duvets: Mrs & Mrs Claus Reversible Queen Size Bed Quilt Cover Set and Christmas Elf Reversible Single Bed Quilt Cover Set
- A recall of the products began in Australia following health concerns from several families.
- One woman said she thought she was having a heart attack after using one of the products which smelt of diesel.
- One customer said she’d purchased the quilt covers and said they smelled like gas. Another mum said hers did not have that smell but claimed her son developed a rash that only went away when he stopped using the product.
- The product is no longer available for purchase on the Kmart website.

Regardless of whether you have experienced an issue, customers who have purchased this item may return the product to store for a refund.

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