Generational change: Working together to strengthen biosecurity for generations to come Over 150 biosecurity champions converged upon Mercury Baypark Arena on the last day of Winter to share, engage and learn at the 2023 Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Symposium. The day launched with a mihi whakatau and karakia lead by mana whenua representing Ngā Pōtiki a Tamapahore and continued with an entertaining introduction from facilitator, Pip Loader. Keynote speaker, Nicola Toki from Forest and Bird shared her thoughts about Biodiversity and Biosecurity with a memorable message that ‘we are the voic ..read more

Kauri create shelter and nourishment for other species, and are important to the indigenous forests of the upper North Island. A number of plants are found only, or mostly, in association with kauri. When kauri disappear, the kauri forest goes too.   Kauri are a taonga species for Māori and have significant value for our ecosystem, historic heritage, cultural values, tourism industry, and national identity.  Significant kauri, like Tane Mahuta and Te Matua Ngahere, are more than just trees. They are a presence that connect us with the past, and with thos ..read more

TMBC is proud to announce the confirmed 2023 TMBC Biosecurity Excellence Symposium programme.  Learn. Share. Engage  Join like-minded professionals and stakeholders for an informative and interactive event sharing information, insights and opinions from the Kaupapa of biosecurity and protecting what we love about our region.  TMBC presents a day of presentations and panel discussions from biosecurity doers and thinkers who are sparking action through new ways of working, technology and collaboration across the country.  The future of biosecurity in New Zealan ..read more

Two new guidance documents have been developed by  Biosecurity Business Pledge  members to  aid discussion about biosecurity in boardrooms and at  senior leadership tables.   The ‘CEO Guide to Biosecurity’ and ‘Biosecurity Considerations for Boards’ were developed by Pledge signatory organisations in consultation with a cross-section of Pledge chief executives and governors. The significance of biosecurity to the economy and the business community is underscored by its top priority ranking for eleven years straight in the KPMG agribusiness agenda. With the high degree ..read more

Respected TMBC supporter and contributor  Rob McGowan (QSM), known as Pa Ropata,  has been awarded the prestigious The University of Waikato Medal for his significant and sustained contribution to protecting Aotearoa’s Indigenous ecosystems. Rob has spent his career helping to regenerate our biodiversity and educating others about our native ecosystems and how to protect them.  He has been a supporter of TMBC since its inception, and was a speaker at our 2022 Symposium. In 1999 he co-founded Tāne’s Tree Trust and since 2006 has been involved with Ngā Whenua Rāhui, a Te Papa Ataw ..read more

February 2023 will go down as the month that Aotearoa New Zealand experienced one of its worst weather disasters, as Cyclone Gabrielle caused historic extreme rainfall and river flooding, catastrophic wind damage, and substantial storm surges across the North Island. Unfortunately, this culminated in widespread destruction and loss-of-life, with a long and costly recovery ahead. TMBC co-chair Graeme Marshall says that many TMBC partners will be supporting response and recovery activities across the North Island and in particular in Hawkes Bay and Tairāwhihti.  “Our thoughts go to tho ..read more

Desi Ramoo is the new Director of B3, replacing David Teulon who is stepping down from the role after 10 years. Over the past decade Desi has worked at the Ministry for Primary Industries, Ministry for the Environment, the government-funded Biological Heritage National Science Challenge, and with private companies in research innovation, commercialisation and community engagement roles. Desi says he is excited to be part of a collaboration doing great things to help stop pests getting into the country. “It’s a great opportunity to put my experience and understanding of the research system in N ..read more

Using a 3D-printer to make a model of the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) to raise awareness of the potentially devastating pest was one of B3’s summer studentship programme projects. University of Canterbury biological sciences student Joel Tregurtha teamed up with engineering mechatronics student Te Matau O Te Rangi (Te Ati Haunui-a-Pāpārangi) to 3D-print a model of the BMSB, which has not been found in Aotearoa but could have multi-billion dollar implications if it established here. Read more about the project.  Read about the other projects, including one focused on supporting ..read more

Collaborative action is one the strongest tools for managing biosecurity risks – so we all need to do our bit to stop the spread of Moth plant (kapok plant). Introduced to New Zealand from South America in the late 1880s, this fast growing vine can rapidly smother everything it twines and scrambles around. Sadly the flowers are bad news for butterflies, insects and bees too which can become trapped when feeding. It’s currently ‘pod season’ across the rohe (region) which means that the fleshy, leathery, pear-shaped fruit are growing and ripening, and will shortly open to release masses of ..read more

The wet summer has not slowed TMBC’s community outreach activities to grow future bio-security champions in Tauranga Moana.  Almost 100 groups took part in our Great Biosecurity Hunt during January. Winners of the three hunts in Papamoa, Tauranga and Mt Maunganui  won great local experiences –  a Big Kanu Glow worm tour, an Okere zip-line and white-water raft and a Hobbiton Evening banquet tour.  TMBC has also teamed up with Bay Conservation Alliance and Kaimai Kauri to take a group of home-schoolers to Ōtanewainuku to help them learn about our treasured natural environment ..read more