Monday, 20 June 2022 16:01

Search is on for NZ biosecurity champions

Written by Staff Reporters

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Biosecurity New Zealand deputy director general Stuart Anderson.

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is on the hunt for biosecurity champions as entries open for the 2022 New Zealand Biosecurity Awards.

The awards are designed to recognise and celebrate the contributions made across the country to protect against pests and diseases.

“It’s our way of honouring people and organisations across the motu who are contributing to biosecurity – in our communities, businesses, iwi and hapū, government, in the bush, our oceans and waterways, and in our backyards,” says Biosecurity deputy-director general Stuart Anderson.

He says that some New Zealanders aren’t aware that their work in their own backyards plays a critical role in the biosecurity system.

“From trapping pests like catfish, rats and stoats; to disease management in out forests, rivers and oceans; these are all important projects which strengthen our biosecurity system.”

“A strong biosecurity system takes all of us. We are grateful to receive continued support for these Awards from our fantastic sponsors – AsureQuality, Eagle Technology, Government Industry Agreement (GIA), Mondiale VGL and New Zealand’s Biological Heritage - we couldn’t do it without them,” says Anderson.

The impact of being a winner at the New Zealand Biosecurity Awards goes beyond the recognition and celebration on the Awards night, according to 2021 Supreme Winner Xerra Earth Observation Institute.

“The recognition of Starboard’s work through these awards has been enormously motivating to continue our journey towards science-based benefits for all Aotearoa,” says Xerra programme leader Moritz Lehman.

“Biosecurity challenges need a team approach and we sincerely thank the intensive co-development support from staff at Biosecurity New Zealand who now use our tool to help protect our maritime border from invasive species.”

The New Zealand Biosecurity Awards categories are:

BioHeritage Challenge Community Award
New Zealand Biosecurity Māori Award
New Zealand Biosecurity Kura (School) Award
GIA Industry Award
Eagle Technology Local and Central Government Award
New Zealand Biosecurity Science Award
Mondiale VGL Innovation Award
AsureQuality Emerging Leader Award
Minister’s Biosecurity Award
Supreme Award

Entries close 5pm, 31 July 2022.

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