Source: Auckland Council The fungal disease Myrtle Rust has been discovered for the first time within the boundaries of the WaitÄkere Ranges Regional Park, infecting one of New Zealandâs most highly susceptible native myrtles, Lophomyrtus bullata, commonly known as ramarama. The species is nationally threatened, and its conservation status is classified as âcriticalâ. The Department of Conservation is leading the threatened plant recovery response to Myrtle Rust. Myrtle rust can infect hundreds of species in the plant family Myrtaceae, which in New Zealand includes mÄnuka, pÅhutukawa, rÄtÄ and kÄnuka. Once established on a host tree or shrub, it destroys new growth and soft tissues, in some cases, eventually killing the plant. To date, pÅhutukawa has not been badly affected in the Auckland region.