More than a hundred scientists and leaders will meet in Auckland today for a Myrtle Rust Symposium

The invasive disease which affects species like pohutukawa was first detected in 2017.

It's now widely distributed across the North Island and parts of the South Island.

The outcomes of more than 20 myrtle rust research projects commissioned by Biosecurity New Zealand will be shared at the meeting.

One of the projects is seed banking - a last ditch option to save species in case they're overwhelmed by the disease.