About
Many of Australasia’s best-known and most highly valued native trees – from Australia’s eucalypts to New Zealand’s pōhutukawa – are in the family Myrtaceae. Many species in this family urgently need protection from myrtle rust, a disease caused by the globally dispersed pathogen Austropuccinia psidii.
Collaborative research efforts have improved our understanding of our myrtles, the pathogen, and plant/pathogen interactions. Management tools have been developed and deployed, and communities are rapidly mobilising to protect and conserve native plants.
Join us for the second Australasian Myrtle Rust Conference to share and learn about the latest research and management approaches. Be part of the conversation as we celebrate our mighty myrtles and the progress made towards protecting them.
Conference details
Venue:
This event, held at an intimate venue at the University of Auckland, will feature guest speakers from Australia and New Zealand. In-person attendance will be limited primarily to presenters, but all talks will be livestreamed to an expansive virtual audience. If you would like to receive an invitation to present and/or attend in person, please email Jenny Leonard (LeonardJ@landcareresearch.co.nz).
Session themes:
- Community-led action
- New technologies, solutions, and research insights
- Species conservation
- Early career initiatives and research
Field trip:
There will be a field trip on 18 June to view Aotearoa New Zealand’s iconic pōhutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) trees on Rangitoto Island. A short ferry ride from Auckland, the island supports the world’s largest pōhutukawa forest, with the trees being fundamental to ecosystem health. Myrtle rust was first detected on Rangitoto in the summer of 2022/2023.
Registration
We’re working to finalise conference registration details, so check back soon! Alternatively, you can join the mailing list here.
For invited speakers and attendees, we can confirm that registration prices (in NZD) will be:
- Standard: $250 per person
- Student & Unwaged: $50 per person
- Conference dinner: $150 per person
- Field trip: $60
- Online registration: TBD