When you are out on a native forest walk with Track & Trail Cycle Adventures your guide will get you to clean and spray your shoes as you enter and leave the forest. We do this to help stop the spread of a disease which is affecting our iconic Kauri trees, this disease is known as Kauri dieback

We have put this page together to provide some further information for those interested in finding out more about the disease and how to prevent it spreading.

What causes Kauri dieback?

Kauri dieback is caused by a microscopic pathogen (a type of water mould) that is spread by water and soil. The pathogen travels towards the Kauri tree roots and there they create a bacterial colony which infects the roots and will ultimately ‘starve’ the tree of nutrients and water by damaging the tissues in the trees trunk. The full name of the pathogen is Phytophthora agathidicida.

Why it is important to clean bikes and shoes?

The pathogen that causes the disease can be transported in a pinhead of soil and remain dormant for many years in the soil or above the ground. You cannot always tell if a tree or an area has the disease. We need to make sure we don’t bring any contaminated soil into an area or leave an area with any soil on our shoes or bikes that could spread the disease to another area.

The spray used is called Sterigene Green and is a non toxic, biodegradable disinfectant which is effective at killing bacteria and fungus.

Track & Trail Cycle Adventure’s Kauri Dieback Procedures

Track & Trail takes containing the spread of Kauri Dieback very seriously and have a series of policies and guidelines our guides are trained to follow.

• We explain the issues to our guests and scrub and spray all clients’ shoes and bike tyres both entering and leaving the forest.
• We carry spare spray and brushes in all vehicles
• We report empty spray stations to the rangers.
• Vehicles are thoroughly swept and wiped out.
• Our guides will also talk to members of the public at the spray stations to explain why shoe cleaning is so important.

Protocols for preventing the spread of the disease

Step 1
Clean ALL soil off your shoes and bike and other gear EVERY TIME you ENTER or LEAVE an area with kauri.

Step 2
Use disinfectant only after you have removed all soil.

Step 3
Stay on track and off kauri roots.

More Information
If you are interested in more information about the issues around Kauri dieback and the research being done there is an excellent website here. https://www.kauriprotection.co.nz/resources/best-practice-guides/