Biosecurity Month 2011

Tomorrow’s pests today? You can’t judge past actions on present knowledge but…if early on in our country’s history new settlers had known what species would become the future pests of this wonderful land and had left them in their country of origin, New Zealand’s biodiversity would be richer, our natural ecosystems less modified, and our primary industry less at risk. While technology is now more advanced and we have a better understanding of what may become a pest, where these pests might come from, and how they might arrive here, numerous risks still remain, both from pest species already in New Zealand and those that have yet to reach our borders. For example, unfortunately there are over 26 million eggs or chicks of native forest birds killed by predators each year. It is not a lost cause, however: with awareness, vigilance and engagement of all New Zealanders there is hope we can turn the tables on tomorrow’s unwanted pests.

Biosecurity is vital to protect New Zealand’s ability to grow primary products, stay healthy, and preserve our natural heritage – our unique thumb print on the world. New Zealand is fortunate to have a world class biosecurity system, driven by primary producers and people who care about our biodiversity, and assisted by central and local government with legislation that enables effective management of those pests inside New Zealand, and a border and pre-border surveillance system second to none, and supported by world class research from a variety of science institutions.

‘Biosecurity’ means protection from the risks posed by organisms to the economy, environment and people’s health, through exclusion, eradication and control procedures, actions and activities.

Vigilance and understanding of the risks to biosecurity are vitally important. New Zealand is a trading nation and a tourist destination, and numbers of imports and visitors are increasing every year. New Zealand is free from many of the pests that limit trade and production in other countries and this is a huge advantage to our growers. We have a benign climate amenable to a variety of species not currently here, and we also have a significant number of pests, both actual and potential, here already. With global warming and biological changes potentially influencing the distribution and ability of pests to impact on habitats, we must never become complacent in our surveillance, search for knowledge or our ability to respond.

Sectors of the biosecurity system are all interlinked. They do not function in isolation but require each to be connected to the other to create a system stronger than its parts. The NZBI endeavours to foster relationships and avenues for the sharing of ideas and best practice information between all the sectors of the biosecurity system. Please follow the links to find out more about the varied disciplines that contribute to protecting New Zealand.

Policy - We need policy to guide our biosecurity actions and to steer New Zealand’s response.(MAFBNZ)                         

Science - How can we make our biosecurity processes better? (AgResearch, Landcare Research, B3 - Better Border Biosecurity)

Biosecurity Officers - How do we prevent and manage the spread of pests already in New Zealand? ( Regional Councils, Department of Conservation)

Private companies - How does private industry contribute to biosecurity in New Zealand? (NPCA – for best practice guidelines, SMS, Kiwicare, Te Ngahere, Treescape)

Community groups - How does our community respond to threats to their special natural areas and ability to enjoyment these environments? (Weedbusters, DoC)

Land owners - What can you do as someone who wants to protect their patch from pests? (Landcare Trust, Weedbusters)

Education - What can we do to teach the next generation about what we have to lose if we don’t protect New Zealand from pests? (Weedbusters, Landcare Research) What professional development courses are available for those wanting to work, or already working in the field of biosecurity? (Auckland University )

People are the key to the success of protecting New Zealand. If New Zealanders want to preserve and protect what makes our country great then we all need to know how we can make a difference.

‘I will clean my gear between waterways’            ‘I won’t sneak those seeds back into the country’

‘I will clean my hull between ports’                          ‘I will dump my garden waste responsibly’

‘I will insist the agricultural machinery is cleaned before it comes to my place and then before it leaves’

‘I will ask the local regional council what this strange weed is on my property’

‘I will buy local produce and discourage imported food choices’

‘I will join the NZBI to keep abreast of the latest news and information so I can protect New Zealand from the adverse impacts of invasive species’

Check out some of the people that belong to the Institute and why they are so passionate about protecting New Zealand from pests.

NZBI Executive Members

• President - Pedro Jensen
• Vice-President - Rebecca Kemp
• Secretary - Wendy Mead
• Treasurer - Louise Cook
• Website Manager - David Brittain
• John (JR) Gardener
• Past President - Craig Davey

You can help support Biosecurity Month 2011 by using a widget such as that above on your website linking the this page and by using a banner in your emails. For more information contact David Brittain at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Pedro Jensen at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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