Myrtle rust found in New Plymouth's Pukekura ParkGRANT MATTHEW/STUFF Contractors wandered through Pukekura Park, New Plymouth fully dressed in hazard suits searching for myrtle rust. Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) confirmed that New Plymouth's Pukekura Park contains the fungus after contractors surveyed the park on Thursday. MPI myrtle rust response controller Catherine Duthie said in a statement that myrtle rust had infected an exotic Agonis flexuosa - commonly known as peppermint tree, peppermint myrtle or river myrtle - in Pukekura Park. READ MORE:*New Taranaki myrtle rust infestation threatens riparian planting scheme*Myrtle rust infected sites in Taranaki grows as summer approaches*Restrictions lifted on feijoas in Taranaki after being cleared of myrtle rust threat*Myrtle rust discovered in West AucklandSIMON O'CONNOR/STUFF Pukekura Park during the Festival of Lights. Duthie said a field surveillance team will now check all myrtle species within a 500-metre radius of the infected tree in Pukekura Park.

Source: Stuff January 12, 2018 05:03 UTC