Address to the Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust
The Commissioner addressed members of the Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust in a speech that traversed the complexities of biosecurity and species conservation in the face of both changing climate and plant management.
“Unsurprisingly, we know quite a lot about the plants, pathogens and other pests that pose a risk to our agricultural and horticultural production systems. But interactions between exotic plants and native biodiversity are complicated.”
The Commissioner discussed the additional challenge to species survival that climate change presents a challenge which is already ‘redealing the cards for both native and introduced plants in New Zealand’. He observed that it is likely to disrupt the favoured conditions of many rhododendrons in native habitats and in refuges like Pukeiti.
Noting the important conservation role of ornamental gardens globally, the Commissioner concluded his address by discussing Pukeiti’s future role. He also raised the question of whether New Zealand should seek overseas refuges for some of our most threatened endemic plants.