The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

I live on the Kapiti Coast, Otaki. we have a number of Kauri on our property that are dying off. I've posted pictures on local pages and others in the region have reported the same thing with their Kauri's. Could anyone please tell me if they can tell me from these what they think the issue is? We have had a very dry summer but the Kauri's have taken it worse than others. Hoping it's only the drought and not something like dieback

This looks very like drought damage to me. Kauri Die Back is best diagnosed in the field by the presence of gum bleeding from the trunk. However, if you have any doubts about what is killing your kauri best you contact your local Department of Conservation and ask for advice.

Thanks Peter, i've already been to DOC and they sent me here. They did mention their Arbourist was away at the time and suggested this forum was the best place to ask.

Melody McLaughlin <mmclaughlin@doc.govt.nz> 19 Feb (7 days ago)
Hi Ben,
Thank you for checking in on the Kauri. Below is the contact address for MPI and I have cut and pasted a section from their website regarding Kauri dieback if this is a possibility. Extreme weather conditions may also be a factor/cause. If you send through the photos I can forward to the National Plant Conservation Network and ask them or you can go onto their website yourself and ask?

http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/ This has a bunch of experts behind the scene who can provide expert advice.
MPI Hotline below.
Pest-and-disease hotline - 0800 80 99 66
From the MPI website a description on kauri dieback is below.
&quot;An infected kauri may have:
yellowing leaves
a thinning canopy (the leafy, top part of the tree)
dead branches
large lesi

OK - the dieback I see in your image looks rather like that caused by drought. I have seen (though not often) similar examples in gardens in Auckland where even well established trees 10 or so metres high suddenly collapse, and when I am inquiries about this to the late Dr Ross Beever in 2008 and was told this was due to drought and other stresses on planted specimens.