Drought is being blamed for the death of native trees at the top of the South Island

Department of Conservation staff report extensive areas of dead mahoe in Abel Tasman National Park's Wainui Inlet, browning rimu near Heaphy Track ... and dead beech trees on the banks of the Buller River.

Botanist Shannel Courtney says root stress from a very wet winter and spring in 2018 had already weakened the trees and the extremely dry conditions have proved fatal.