People visiting bush areas in the Waikato are being urged to take care to help prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease.

The disease has been detected at five sites on the Coromandel Peninsula and is spread through the movement of soil, including on footwear, hiking and biking equipment, and other sports gear.

The Waikato Regional Council is urging people heading off into the region's bush areas to take care to help prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease. Photo: File

Kauri are naturally found in the Waikato to about 38 degrees south – roughly a line from Kawhia to Tauranga.

Waikato Regional Council kauri dieback project manager Kim Parker says people visiting native forest in the region where there are kauri will be asked to follow a range of precautionary measures.

'Before and after visiting bush areas people should thoroughly wash their boots, and tramping and sports equipment, with detergent,” explains Kim. 'Use of broad spectrum disinfectants like Sterigene or diluted bleach on boots and equipment can also help prevent the disease's spread.

'Cleaning the wheels of vehicles after being in bush areas is also important. The more people can avoid moving even small amounts of soil between areas the better.

Even one person could be enough to spread kauri dieback to a new area as tiny amounts of soil have been shown to have the pathogen which causes the disease.

Another strong recommendation Kim has for people is to stay on already formed tracks and avoid walking on kauri roots.

'Kauri are a precious taonga and the regional council is working hard with the national Kauri Dieback Programme to prevent its spread. By following a few simple precautions, the public can also help preserve these mighty forest giants.

'There is no known cure for kauri dieback so preventing its spread is the best way to protect the giants of the forest,” said Ms Parker.

For more information on kauri dieback visit www.kauridieback.co.nz. If you have concerns about a potentially sick kauri call freephone 0800 NZ Kauri (0800-695-2874).