NZ Biosecurity Institute elects new President
Category: National. Posted: 6 March 2026
Fostering training relationships:
NZ Biosecurity Institute elects new President
The New Zealand Biosecurity Institute has elected senior lecturer at Unitec Dr Diane Fraser as its new president.
Outgoing president Dr Rowan Sprague said Dr Fraser has served the Institute well as secretary for the past six years, and has been a mentor for early career members and students, encouraging them to apply for Institute scholarships and take advantage of its learning opportunities.
“The Institute owes a lot to Diane for promoting the NZBI and biosecurity as a career option,” Dr Sprague said
Dr Fraser has spent 35years in the animal welfare and biosecurity sector, particularly in the research field and most recently the development of student and industry relationships.
Dr Fraser said she plans to promote and grow the Institute as a key portal to professional development in biosecurity by building on the Institute’s mentoring programme and fostering ongoing training relationships with the sector.
“The strength of the NZBI is the way it connects all the parts of the biosecurity engine,” she said.
“If you can’t find the answer, you will definitely find out who knows the answer, which makes it an ideal network for introducing and nourishing newcomers into the sector.
The Institute and its network of practitioners, managers, policy makers and researchers are well placed to work effectively towards New Zealand’s ambitious biosecurity goals.
The Institute can take pride in the calibre of its members, and I see that as a key reason for the world-class biosecurity system we have in New Zealand.
“We also face budget constraints, along with most sectors, so the challenge is to spend resources wisely, whether they be research or operational.”
Dr Fraser said every year Institute members spend hundreds of hours controlling or managing the risks to the economy and the environment of the effects of introduced pests.
“This is work which costs the country hundreds of millions of dollars each year through control, research and border control budgets. This money is coming out of all New Zealanders’ pockets,” she said.
The NZ Biosecurity Institute is the professional training and networking organisation for people involved in all aspects of biosecurity including pest animal and plant management, and border control. Its members work for research organisations, educational institutions, regional councils and government departments.
All are involved in protecting NZ from invasive species.