Araucaria rulei is assessed as Endangered as it meets the following criteria: it is estimated that there has been a population decline of more than 50% over the last 100 years, most of which has occurred in the last decades. The reduction in the area of occupancy and the population decline are the direct result of open cast mining and associated activities and impacts such as road building, spoil dumping and wildfires. A. rulei is almost totally restricted to nickel rich areas and these have been and continue to be heavily exploited. In some areas (e.g. Tiébaghi), this species has been included in restoration and rehabilitation work.

Araucaria rulei has a wide but discontinuous distribution in New Caledonia. Most subpopulations are concentrated around Mt Boulinda and Paéoua in the northwest or in the Canala and Poro area on the central northeast coast. Occurs from 250 to 950 m asl.

Population size can vary from several thousand trees scattered over several kilometres to just a few localised trees.

Restricted to serpentine, often nickel bearing soils, in 'maquis-minier' shrubland. Trees are usually scattered and rarely form dense stands.

The species has experienced severe declines because of open cast nickel mining and associated activities and impacts. In general, it regenerates poorly and grows slowly.

No specific uses have been recorded for this species.

This species is legally protected in province Sud and province Nord although it only occurs in a single protected area (Vallée de la Thy). This species is recorded from 22 ex situ collections (BGCI 2024).