Published on 04 August 2026
Walkers on Long Bay Kauri Walk near Coromandel Town are urged to help protect the area’s historic kauri by staying on the path and following instructions for cleaning footwear.
The reserve is home to a large kauri, estimated to be about 1200 years old, which tested positive recently for the soil-borne pathogen Phytophthora agathidicida (pA), the cause of kauri dieback disease. pA infects the tree through its root system and starves the tree of nutrients and water. Over time, an infected kauri will display yellowing leaves, a thinning canopy, dead branches and bleeding around the trunk.
Phytopthora agathidicida is spread through the movement of dirt. People walking off track around the kauri roots is the most likely reason the kauri became infected in the first place. The main aim now is to stop the disease spreading to the rest of the kauri on the reserve. The infected tree is being treated with phosphite to suppress the harmful effects of kauri dieback and boost its natural defences, but it is not certain that the tree will survive.
“The most important step walkers can take is to stay on the track ” says Thames-Coromandel District Council Parks and Open Spaces Manager, Derek Thompson. “Alongside cleaning and disinfecting footwear at the start of the track, this will help preserve the other kauri in the area by stopping the spread of any pathogens.”
The Council is stepping up its monitoring system to see if people are going off track and where this happens, so we can take further measures to preserve the kauri.
Together with Waikato Regional Council, we have worked at Long Bay Reserve to:
Find our more information from our partners at Waikato Regional Council