Fungal Network of New Zealand

The Fungal Network of New Zealand (FUNNZ) is an independent, non-profit incorporated mycological society open to anybody, dedicated to the study, documentation and conservation of New Zealand's fungi. It was founded in 2005 under the Incorporated Societies Act and operates as a membership-based organisation rather than a commercial company, though it functions as a recognisable brand within New Zealand's natural-history and citizen-science community. FUNNZ's core activity is the annual national fungal foray, a multi-day field event that brings together amateur and professional mycologists to collect, identify and record fungi at a different location each year. Recent forays have been held around New Zealand: the 38th NZ Fungal Foray took place at Karamea on the South Island's West Coast from 19–25 April 2026 at "The Last Resort", and the 2027 foray is scheduled for Waipukurau in the North Island's East Coast region from 16–22 May 2027, based at "Pukeora Estate". These forays combine accommodation, a foray hall and shared meals, and are a key social and scientific gathering for the mycological community. Beyond forays, FUNNZ pursues a broad set of objects: sharing knowledge about and publicising New Zealand's fungi and their roles in ecosystems; stimulating research on fungi; educating about fungi from primary to tertiary levels; providing a cohesive group for amateurs and professionals; assisting in cataloguing New Zealand's fungi and promoting their conservation; attracting funding for mycological research; and advancing related activities. The society is governed by an elected council, with officers including a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Councillor/Webmaster and additional Councillors. As of the society's published council list, Michael Bartlett serves as President, Peter Buchanan as Vice President, Petra Gloyn as Secretary, Renee Johansen as Treasurer, and Bevan Weir as Councillor and Webmaster, alongside Councillors Maj Padamsee, David Whyte, Adrienne Stanton, Lois Alison-Cooper and David Orlovich. FUNNZ also engages in fundraising and outreach through merchandise partnerships. It has partnered with Tumbleweed Tees on a T-shirt design featuring a variety of New Zealand fungi, with $5 from each sale going to FUNNZ to help fund mycology scholarships. The society's website also highlights mycological publications, such as Clive Shirley's Hidden Forest PDF eBook photo guides to New Zealand fungi, with the first book available free and the set available for purchase. Annual General Meeting minutes from 2005 through 2024 are published on the FUNNZ website, reflecting the society's long-running governance record. As a brand, FUNNZ represents a trusted, community-oriented identity in New Zealand mycology — a hub for field events, education, conservation advocacy and research funding rather than a commercial product line. Its audience spans hobbyist mushroom hunters, academic mycologists, students, conservationists and the wider public interested in New Zealand's fungal biodiversity.

The Fungal Network of New Zealand (FUNNZ) was founded in 2005 under the Incorporated Societies Act, establishing itself as an independent, non-profit mycological society open to anybody. Its formation reflected a desire within New Zealand's amateur and professional mycological communities for a cohesive national body that could share knowledge about fungi, stimulate research, support education and promote conservation. From its earliest years, FUNNZ maintained formal governance through Annual General Meetings, with minutes published on its website from 2005 onward. The society's constitution, also published on its website, sets out its objects: to share knowledge about and publicise the fungi of New Zealand and their roles in all ecosystems; to stimulate research on fungi; to educate about fungi at primary to tertiary levels; to provide a cohesive group of amateur and professional people who share common interests in fungi; to assist in cataloguing New Zealand's fungi and to promote their conservation; to organise at minimum an annual national fungal foray; to attract funding for mycological research; and to promote such other activities that may advance the aims of the Society. The annual national fungal foray became FUNNZ's signature activity. By 2026 the society was holding its 38th NZ Fungal Foray, indicating a long tradition of annual field gatherings that predates or parallels the society's formal incorporation. The 2026 foray was held at Karamea in the South Island (West Coast) from 19–25 April 2026 at "The Last Resort", and was noted as the first foray for a number of years where accommodation, hall facilities and meals were all in the same facility. The 2027 foray was announced for Waipukurau in the North Island (East Coast) from 16–22 May 2027, based at "Pukeora Estate". FUNNZ is governed by an elected council. The published council list includes President Michael Bartlett, Vice President Peter Buchanan, Secretary Petra Gloyn, Treasurer Renee Johansen, Councillor and Webmaster Bevan Weir, and Councillors Maj Padamsee, David Whyte, Adrienne Stanton, Lois Alison-Cooper and David Orlovich. The society has published AGM minutes continuously from 2005 through 2024, documenting its ongoing governance and activities. In addition to forays, FUNNZ has pursued outreach and fundraising. It partnered with Tumbleweed Tees on a T-shirt design featuring a variety of New Zealand fungi, with $5 from each sale going to FUNNZ to help fund mycology scholarships. The society's website also promotes mycological literature, including Clive Shirley's Hidden Forest PDF eBook photo guides to New Zealand fungi, with the first book available free and the set available for purchase. Through these activities, FUNNZ has built a durable identity as a national hub for fungal knowledge, field research and conservation advocacy in New Zealand.

• 2026

  38th NZ Fungal Foray held at Karamea, South Island (West Coast), 19–25 April 2026.

• 2005

  FUNNZ founded under the Incorporated Societies Act; first AGM minutes published.

• 2027 FUNNZ Fungal Foray announced for Waipukurau, North Island (East Coast), 16–22 May 2027.

Independent, non-profit, membership-based mycological society and national hub for fungal knowledge, forays, education and conservation in New Zealand.

• Annual national fungal foray

  A multi-day field event held at a different New Zealand location each year, combining accommodation, a foray hall and shared meals.

• Mycology scholarships

  Funded in part by merchandise sales, including the Tumbleweed Tees T-shirt partnership.

• Educational and identification resources

  The website promotes mycological literature such as Clive Shirley's Hidden Forest PDF eBook photo guides.

1. 1Fungal Network of New Zealand | New Zealand mycological societyfunnz.org.nz
2. 2About FUNNZ | Fungal Network of New Zealandfunnz.org.nz
3. 3Preliminary notice: 2027 FUNNZ Fungal Foray | Fungal Network of New Zealandfunnz.org.nz
4. 438th NZ Fungal Foray, Karamea, South Island | Fungal Network of New Zealandfunnz.org.nz
5. 5Fungal Network of New Zealandwikidata.org