Work on funding a plan to tackle kauri dieback is close to completion, Biosecurity Minister Damien O'Connor says.
Biosecurity Minister Damien O'Connor. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
Forest & Bird on Thursday confirmed the disease had reached Northland's Puketi Forest, one of just two areas in the world with unlogged kauri.
The organisation criticised the government for stalling funding for a National Pest Management Plan completed last year.
O'Connor said he was committed to protecting kauri and was working with officials on options for implementing the plan now.
"In the meantime, central and local government continue to invest and work on protecting kauri."