RT Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, the New Zealand High Commissioner, visited the Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst to discuss how working together could help save New Zealand’s native trees.

The Commissioner was welcomed to Wakehurst, part of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew by its Director, Tony Sweeney and given a tour by the seed bank’s building manager, Keith Manger.

Tony said the visit was extremely relaxed and helpful to both parties.

He said: “Some very beneficial conversations were had between our scientists and Sir Jerry, and we hope to work collaboratively to help Aotearoa New Zealand to conserve its native tree seeds.”

Sir Jerry met visiting Māori tribal representatives Kimmy Ranginui and Waipaina Awarau-Morris who attended this year’s Seed Conservation Techniques course at the MSB.

Sir Jerry said, “I am impressed with the work that Dr Ruth Bone has been doing both in the UK and especially in New Zealand and I look forward to seeing how the opportunity that Kimmy and Waipaina have blossoms!”

Kimmy and Waipaina are developing native tree seed conservation programmes within their communities, driven by their concerns about the rapid spread of Myrtle Rust.

This fungal pathogen was first documented in Aotearoa New Zealand last year and threatens native Myrtles, including culturally significant and economically important plant species.

The MSB Partnership, the largest wild seed conservation project in the world, has collaborated with Māori communities since 2016.