Encouraging students at NETS2025
Category: National. Posted: 6 March 2026
Unitec degrees produce excellent outcomes for the biosecurity industry
NZBI President Diane Fraser, also Associate Professor at Unitec, prepared this item on the long-running student relationship with NETS and NZBI
There is talk in town that there is a need for more biosecurity education and professional development for the industry. Action is underway to investigate the provision around New Zealand and the role that NZBI can take in increasing awareness and access to this education.
As you may know, I have been providing Bachelor of Applied Science (BASCI) students in the School of Environmental and Animal Sciences (EAS) with the opportunity to showcase their research projects at the NZBI NETS conferences for about the last decade. Generally, this has involved third-year undergraduate research students which is uncommon and a challenge to present at a conference. I applaud all the students for having the courage to step up to this challenge. In addition, I thank all participants of NETS for being so supportive at the conference and for the provision of research and work opportunities, such as Chelsee Neverman, Kayla Rench, Sarah Killick and Imogen Bassett of Auckland Council, Adam Field of NZ Biosecurity Services Limited and Peter and Frank Visser of Key Industries to name a few.
This year I was delighted to bring five students from the School of Environmental and Animal Sciences to the conference to present their work, which included collaborations between Unitec staff and Auckland Council.
Amy Gwynne is a recent graduate of the Post-graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Biodiversity Management) and completed the required dissertation on the identification characteristics of the highly invasive Himalayan wineberry (Rubus ellipticus var. obcordatus (Franch.) Focke), the current presence of this species in the Albany area of Auckland, where it was first recorded, and its potential spread and impact in Aotearoa/New Zealand using GIS modelling and an analogue species (Japanese wineberry). Ground-based identification of R. ellipticus, which is similar to other Rubus species, showed a higher number of seedlings compared to adult plants and was found predominantly in disturbed areas near other invasive plant species. The modelling results showed that the Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Christchurch and Nelson regions were at the highest potential risk for invasion of Himalayan wineberry. Due to the potential national spread of Himalayan wineberry and the apparent limited spread to date, containment with hopefully eradication is thought to be the best management strategy moving forward. However, further monitoring, both in Auckland and other potentially high-risk regions, is recommended. Amy was supervised by Professor Peter de Lange and myself, funded by Auckland Council, and supported by Lydia Starr and Kelly Wooton from Auckland Council and Dr Glenn Aguilar from Unitec. Since graduating, Amy has gained employment as a Quarantine Officer with MPI and is enjoying her training.
Jemma Owen is a recent graduate of the BASCI (Biodiversity Management major). Jemma’s Negotiated Research project involved a laboratory trial to determine if the lilly pilly beetle (Paropsides calypso), which appears to have arrived from Australia with the common hedging plant Syzygium species, would impact the New Zealand endemic Maire tawake or swamp maire (Syzygium maire) forest tree species. Tests involved exposure of adult beetles and larvae to leaves of either S. australe or S. marie to determine the extent of herbivory over a standardised time of 48 hours by measuring the leaf-margin consumption. The average percentage of leaf-perimeter damage of S. australe by adults was 20% (SE 2.32) and larvae 18% (SE 2.70). No herbivory was detected by P. calypso on the endemic S. marie. This is a promising result, although further research is required, and suggests that the lilly pilly beetle may be a potential biocontrol agent if the hedging plant species become invasive. Jemma was supervised by Dr Wes Web, Ben Goodwin and myself and was assisted in this study by Toby Smith, a current third-year BASCI student. Jemma is now studying in the Master of Applied Science (Biodiversity Management) in EAS.
Jay Huang is a current third-year BASCI student who is completing his Negotiated Research project in collaboration with Chelsee Neverman of Auckland Council for this poster presentation. All boats, including leisure craft, are potential vectors for invasive pest spread to the protected islands of the Hauraki Gulf/ Tikapa Moana. Community engagement plays a key role in the success of island biosecurity efforts, and an understanding of the motivations and barriers to behaviour change is crucial for governing bodies who seek to protect these islands. ‘Check, Clean, Close’ is an Auckland Council biosecurity awareness campaign aimed at encouraging marine park users to implement biosecurity measures before heading out to sea. This study focused on recreational boat users in the Hauraki Gulf, using an anonymous survey to assess participant understanding of the ‘Check, Clean, Close’ messaging and their motivation to act on this message in response to an Auckland Council ‘Commitment form’. Preliminary findings from this survey conducted at boat ramps/ marinas, and at the two Boat Shows held in Auckland in March and May 2025, showed that there was significant positive response (82% of participants) that acknowledged that the commitment form was easy to understand and would motivate them to complete biosecurity actions before a trip. Surprisingly, 27% of participants thought that boats were not or possibly not vectors for transport of pest. Interestingly, ‘Protection or upkeep of vessels’ (40% of participants) and ‘Protecting the environment’ (30%) were the primary motivators for performing checks on their boats. These findings will assist Auckland Council with the future development of effective tools to spread awareness of biosecurity issues in the Hauraki Gulf and promote positive behaviour change. Jay was supervised by Chelsee Neverman and myself, supported by Assoc. Prof. Nigel Adams and assisted with data collection by Toby Smith. Jay is completing his BASCI in 2025.
Finally, Taylor Devonshire, a second-year student in the BASCI programme presented her work on the risk of spotted lanternfly (SLF) (Lycorma delicatula), which is native to the northern provinces of China, to New Zealand. The only known record of this species in New Zealand was that of a dead specimen imported in a duffel bag to Hamilton in 2021. This poster presentation resulted from Taylor’s work on an invasive species assessment in her degree, which is rare for a second-year degree student. SLF is a highly invasive pest which is now established in parts of the United States, Korea, and Japan. It is a polyphagous sapsucker of vascular plants, with a preference for the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima). Its excretion of honeydew promotes the growth of sooty mould, which impairs photosynthesis and reduces both plant growth and fruit set. This honeydew production also attracts ants, bees, hornets, and wasps, contributing to its status as a significant nuisance in urban and agricultural environments. Taylor’s research found that the species has a moderate likelihood of arrival and a moderate to high likelihood of establishment and impact in New Zealand. With a wide range of host species, including economically important horticultural and ornamental plants, SLF poses a biosecurity threat to New Zealand. Taylor was supported for this poster presentation by myself and will spend the next six months at Guelph University, Canada, on an exchange before completing her third year back at Unitec.
The biosecurity pathway of learning in the BASCI in EAS, Unitec, is currently under review to ensure a better alignment with the needs of industry. This will provide students with a strong staircasing of learning from the BASCI into the Post-graduate Certificate, Diploma, and Master in Applied Science (Biodiversity Management) in Unitec’s suite of programmes. If anyone is interested in biosecurity education, including learning while you work on a part-time basis in the Master degree, please feel free to contact me on [Enable JavaScript to view protected content].
Pictured:
Back L to R: Diane Fraser, Toby Smith, jay Huang, Jemma Owen
Front L to R: Taylor Devonshire, Amy Gwynne