Four meetings in four different locations on the Coromandel Peninsula on August 30-31 will be the first chance to hear about the new Coromandel Kauri Dieback Forum.

The forum is established to enable locals to take action in their communities to combat kauri dieback disease and foster the health of kauri throughout the Coromandel Peninsula.

Trees with kauri dieback near Whitianga.

Inaugural meetings of the forum will take place in Whangamata and Thames on Saturday, August 30, while Coromandel town and Whitianga will host the forum on Sunday, August 31.

Local organisations and concerned individuals are being invited to join the forum and work out practical ways to protect kauri in their own communities, complementing the reach and resources of the national Kauri Dieback Management Programme.

Interim forum chair Vivienne McLean says forum meetings will be held to share knowledge and resources, and keep everyone up to date with the latest research and strategies coming out of the national programme.

'The disease is here – and there is no known cure – but if we act now and work together we can limit its spread. Community-based effort will be the key to protecting our kauri,” says Vivienne.

'We are hoping to get a wide cross-section attending ­– in particular iwi, tourism operators and accommodation providers, tramping clubs, hunters, farmers, schools, Scouts, service clubs, nurseries, pest and weed control contractors, multi-sports event organisers – everyone has a part to play in protecting our kauri.”

The inaugural meetings are open to anyone with an interest in protecting Coromandel and Kaimai kauri, says Vivienne.

Each meeting will include an update on the situation on the Coromandel Peninsula, national initiatives and the latest research into this deadly disease, as well as workshops where people will identify what is needed to protect their local kauri, and who can help in their community.

Meetings:

Saturday, August 30:

9am to 12pm at the Whangamata Hall, Whangamata.

1.30pm to 4.30pm at garhamstown Community Hall, Thames.

Sunday, August 31:

9.30am to 12.30pm at Coromandel Area School, Coromandel.

2pm to 5pm at the Town Hall, Whitianga.

Anyone interested in attending please RSVP to Kauri 2000 by Thursday, August 28, by calling 07 866 0468 or email [email protected] to suppply contact details.