Press Release – NZ Bioheritage National Science Challenge Researchers investigating the susceptibility of several plant species to myrtle rust as part of Ng Rkau Taketake , the BioHeritage National Science Challenges MBIE funded programme on kauri dieback and myrtle rust, have observed myrtle rust … Researchers investigating the susceptibility of several plant species to myrtle rust as part of Ngā Rākau Taketake, the BioHeritage National Science Challenge’s MBIE funded programme on kauri dieback and myrtle rust, have observed myrtle rust infection on mānuka seed capsules. In 2019, scientists from Scion and Plant & Food Research with the partnership and support of mana whenua, Ngāti Tamateatutahi and Ngāti Kawiti, established field monitoring sites in Auckland and Rotorua to investigate how natural myrtle rust infection affects plant growth or survival, and how environmental factors contribute to myrtle rust development. The sites included five native species: mānuka, kānuka, pōhutukawa, ramarama, rōhutu; plus the exotic rose apple.