Dear Department of Conservation,

1) What evidence exists that Kauri Dieback (= high number of symptomatic Kauri in a forest) is caused by Phytophthora agathidicida and mostly spread by people with their walking boots.Please don't just refer to articles. I want a short & clear description of the evidence.

2) Can you give me a list of New Zealand scientists who still believe in the idea that Kauri Dieback is caused by Phytophthora agathidicida and mostly spread by people with their walking boots.

These are important and serious questions. According my information the majority of scientists don't believe anymore that Phytophthora agathidicida is a kauri killing pathogen. It appears that the driver of kauri dieback is environmental stress (especially due to droughts) and Phytophthora agathidicida is only a secondary pathogen jumping on dying kauri and accelerating the rotting process (that seems to be the typical behavior of Phytophthora in native forests worldwide).

3) Is DOC aware that some people (e.g. Nick Waipara, Mels Barton, Edward Ashby) spread crass incorrect information?
a) In the Waitakere Ranges 70% of sick kauri are within 50m of a track. [In reality, as confirmed by latest survey, the correct percentage is only about 22%)
b) In the Waitākeres between 2012 and 2017 the number of sick kauri has more than doubled. [in reality this doubling was only away from tracks, the increase close to tracks was much much lower. This was a very obvious weird "fact" and the natural explanation was that in 2012 most sick trees away from tracks had been overlooked but found in the more thoroughly survey 2015-2017. So there never was a doubling ... and the latest 2022 report confirmed that the pathogen is very slow moving ... if at all]

4) Is DOC aware that the same people who spread incorrect information (see question before) are the propagators of the closures not only of the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park (Auckland Council) but also DOC administered public spaces like Goldie Bush and Okura Forest?

5) More than one third of New Zealand population lives in Auckland. Is DOC aware how dire the situation is for Aucklanders looking for enjoyment, recreation and healing in nature? Can you please provide a timeframe for the reopening of Goldie Bush, Okura Forest, Te Henga Walkway, Albany Scenic Reserve.

6) Are the current closures of public spaces on DOC land due to kauri dieback
a) precautionary ("We don't know what is going on so we are for now closing it, but if the scientists are coming to new conclusions then we will reopen")
b) final ("That Phytophthora agathidicida is the main driver of Kauri Dieback and people are the main spreaders is confirmed")

7) Is DOC aware that all evidence actually points to
a) environmental stress as the driver of kauri dieback (especially droughts)
b) Phytophthora agathidicida is already in the country for at least hundreds of years and therefore has already spread to all areas where the soil conditions are conducive for its survival.
c) Phytophthora agathidicida is causing no deaths to kauri but is only a secondary pathogen invading dying kauri.
d) People do not spread Kauri Dieback (because they only transport the pathogen to areas where it cannot survive AND the pathogen is not the decisive factor for kauri death)

8) Is DOC aware of any attempts to intimidate scientists to speak openly about kauri dieback? Is DOC aware of any obstacles for scientists to openly discuss their findings and conclusions regarding kauri dieback?

Please take these questions very seriously.

Please consider the possibility that some people are actually not so "holy" as they appear because they deliberately spread fake news AND have financial advantages of the kauri dieback delusion.

Yours faithfully,

Matt Munro