Jenny Carter, Director of SOAR says, "We're an Auckland family-run business, which is passionate about supporting our community.  We've seen first-hand the terrible effects of kauri dieback in our region - thousands of kauri have died and there is no cure.

We really wanted to get involved and raise awareness of this disease to help stop its spread throughout kauri lands."

SOAR are providing pro-bono printing to the Kauri Dieback Management Programme as well as helping to "spread the word, not the disease". In March, SOAR will 'gift wrap' 60,000 NZ Herald newspapers with photos of diseased kauri and information on how to help stop the spread of kauri dieback.

"Kauri dieback is carried in soil, so the one simple thing we can all do to stop the spread is clean our shoes and equipment before and after visiting kauri forests," says Jenny.

Ian Mitchell, Relationship Manager for the Kauri Dieback Management Programme, says they are extremely grateful for the support of SOAR and the growing number of schools, community groups and corporates which are getting involved.

"SOAR are being innovative and proactive in helping us to get the message out to the public about the need for cleanliness, vigilance and care around kauri trees.

We need all the help we can get to stop the spread of kauri dieback disease and everyone can help right throughout the kauri land regions."

The Kauri Dieback Management Programme is a partnership between the Ministry for Primary Industries, Department of Conservation, Northland Regional Council, Auckland Council, Waikato Regional Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Tāngata Whenua.

The partnership agencies are undertaking a wide-ranging programme to understand the complexities of the disease, including how to control or cure it. Until more is known the preventative measures of cleaning soil off shoes and equipment before and after forest visits is essential.

Kauri are found in the upper North Island from around Kawhia Harbour north. Kauri dieback is caused by a fungus-like disease: microscopic spores in the soil infect kauri roots and damage the tissues that carry nutrients within the tree. Infected trees show a range of symptoms including yellowing of foliage, loss of leaves, dead branches and lesions that bleed gum at the base of the trunk. It kills kauri of all ages including small saplings and giants that are many hundreds of years old.

For more information and photos of kauri dieback disease visit: www.kauridieback.co.nz

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ENDS