Biosecurity NZ urges vigilance for yellow-legged hornets
Biosecurity New Zealand says Kiwis should continue to keep an eye out for yellow-legged hornets (Vespa velutina) over the holiday season.
Biosecurity New Zealand announced the winners of the 2018 New Zealand Biosecurity Awards last night.
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,” says Roger Smith, Head of Biosecurity New Zealand.
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.
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
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
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Forest & Bird's Kiwi Conservation Club is inviting New Zealanders of all ages to embrace the outdoors with its Summer Adventure Challenges.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.