Biosecurity champions in the spotlight

Biosecurity New Zealand announced the winners of the 2018 New Zealand Biosecurity Awards today.

Environment Southland’s Fiordland Marine Pathway Management Plan took out the top prize, the New Zealand Biosecurity Supreme Award. Their project also received the New Zealand Biosecurity Eagle Technology Local and Central Government Award.

The Fiordland Marine Pathway Management Plan, the first of its kind in New Zealand, aims to protect one of New Zealand’s most unique and nationally significant areas from marine pests being carried in on local and visiting vessels.

“The New Zealand Biosecurity Awards celebrate iwi, environmental organisations, science providers, community groups, local, regional and central government agencies who are working hard to help ensure Aotearoa is safe from pests and diseases,” Roger Smith, Head of Biosecurity New Zealand said.

“Their magnificent mahi is fundamental to keeping our biosecurity system strong, and every day they are putting in the hard yards to ensure we continue to have a world-leading biosecurity system.”

The Awards’ winners included a wide variety of interesting biosecurity-related projects from the protection of New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry, to biosecurity excellence in Tauranga moana to improving the outcomes for kōkako, and even innovative products like a portable footwear cleaning system.

“This year saw a record number of high-calibre entries, making it very challenging for the Award judges (chaired by Dr John Hellstrom), to select these winners,” Roger Smith said.

“These Awards are an incredibly important occasion, as they provide a moment of pause to take the time to acknowledge and honour the important achievements happening within our biosecurity system.

“The New Zealand Biosecurity Awards’ winners show that biosecurity is not just up to Biosecurity New Zealand. Every New Zealander has a role to play in preventing pests and diseases from getting into New Zealand or helping to stop their spread if they do get here. It takes all of us to protect what we’ve got,” Roger Smith said.

The full list of New Zealand Biosecurity Awards’ winners are:
• New Zealand Biosecurity Department of Conservation Community Award - Pirongia Te Aroaro o Kahu Restoration Society
• New Zealand Biosecurity GIA Industry Award - Kiwifruit Vine Health
• New Zealand Biosecurity Biological Heritage Challenge Science Award - Scion: New Zealand Forest Research Institute
• New Zealand Biosecurity AsureQuality Emerging Leader Award - Dr Amanda Black
• New Zealand Biosecurity Te Puni Kōkiri Māori Award - Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi Trust
• New Zealand Biosecurity Eagle Technology Local and Central Government Award - Environment Southland
• New Zealand Biosecurity Mondiale Innovation Award - Jacson3 Limited
• New Zealand Biosecurity Supreme Award - Environment Southland
• Minister’s Biosecurity Award - Greg Corbett
To find out more, please visit mpi.govt.nz/biosecurityawards

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