Myrtle rust, caused by the pathogen Puccinia psidii, is a disease of plants in the Myrtaceae that is currently not known to be present in New Zealand. Its origin is Central/ South America, but it has steadily spread around the world and is now found in Australia. All New Zealand Myrtaceae species, including indigenous species, are at risk from myrtle rust infection, but the extent of the impact on plant health is not known. While the potential economic and environmental impacts of myrtle rust establishment in New Zealand have been well documented, this paper explores potential socio-cultural consequences for Māori. All indigenous Myrtaceae species can be considered as taonga (or treasure) by Māori, who have and continue to use the properties of some species in many ways (both tangible and intangible). Preparedness and response plans for a myrtle rust incursion in New Zealand should consider the values that Māori derive from these plants.
The incursion of the myrtle rust disease (Austropuccinia psidii) was officially confirmed on 3 May 2017 at a plant nursery located in Kerikeri, North Island, New Zealand. Since then the presence of myrtle rust has now been located throughout New Zealand, with additional outbreaks in Taranaki, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. It has been detected on a range of Myrtaceaea species including ramarama (Lophomyrtus bullata), pōhutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa), Monkey apple (Syzygium smithii), mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium), and Eucalyptus spp. (E. botryoides). Many of these species are iconic to the Indigenous Māori and have historical significance, being taonga (treasures). Since the incursions, Te Tira Whakamātaki (National Māori Biosecurity Network), have been informing Māori communities throughout New Zealand about the potential impacts of myrtle rust via a series of regional meetings (hui), email and social media that have included brief reports and recommendations. Feedback from these meetings and social media has strongly highlighted the desires of Māori communities to be active participants in decision-making and response plans for the management of myrtle rust as well as other pests and diseases. In this paper, we describe the journey of an Indigenous community approach to a modern biosecurity incursion.
The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) Halyomorpha halys (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) is an invasive pest in North America and Europe that damages many plant species and invades human dwellings. It is regularly intercepted at Aotearoa/New Zealand’s borders but is not yet known to have established. Māori are partners in New Zealand’s biosecurity community and an understanding of the potential impact of any invasive alien species to their interests is essential. The known impacts of BMSB in published literature were reviewed with a focus on Māori plant taonga (valued or treasured plant species) in: (1) Māori commercial enterprises; (2) mara kai (food gardens); and (3) the natural estate. Many fruit and some vegetable species are likely to be affected by BMSB in commercial and non-commercial Māori horticulture but the impact of BMSB on indigenous/native and other taonga plant species in mara kai and the native estate is difficult to evaluate. BMSB poses a serious economic threat to some crop species of commercial value to Māori, as well as threat to some native taonga species. A kaupapa Māori approach examining unpublished mātauranga (knowledge) would considerably broaden this understanding. He ngārara raupatu kaha nei i te tini o ngā tipu, te urutomo noa i te hunga tangata te ngārara nei. Ka kaha haukotingia te ngārara nei e te mana ārai o Aotearoa heoi anō, kāore anō kia whakawhenua i a ia. E mahi tahi ana a Māori rāua ko te hapori marukoiora, anō hoki e mārama ana i te mōrearea o ngā tipu tauiwi - e whai pānga kia rātou. Te Tukanga. I arotake i ngā tuhinga e hāngai ana ki ngā kopuratanga e mōhio nei - e Māori ai te titiro o roto: (1) ngā pākihi Māori (2) ngā māra kai (3) te taiao anō hoki. Te Whakautu. He maha hoki ngā huawhenua me ngā huarākau ka pāngia e te BMSB o roto i ngā pākihi, i ngā ahuone Māori heoi anō, te taea te whakatau i ngā pānga o te BMSB ki te iwi taketake me ōna taonga o roto i ngā māra kai. Te Whakakapinga. Kei tino raru ētahi tipu e whai pānga ki te Māori, ngā tipu taketake anō hoki i te BMSB. Mā te tirohanga Māori e whakawhānui i ngā mōhiotanga.
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