Paul Peterson earns the Dave Galloway Innovation Award
Category: National. Posted: 6 March 2026
Bringing hi-tech to classical control:
Paul Peterson wins the Dave Galloway innovation Award
Bringing new technology to classical bio-control of plants, has won Paul Peterson from Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research (now part of the infant Bioeconomy Science Institute) the 2025 NZBI Dave Galloway innovation Award.
Paul has been part of the weed biocontrol group at Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research for the past 30 years. Paul has always been interested in how to bring technological advances to advance classical weed biocontrol. Early on, Paul spearheaded the development of MWLR’s digital sampling method to help assess percentage cover in plot photos more reliably. In the past decade, Paul has worked tirelessly to integrate drone technology and aerial remote sensing into multiple aspects of weed biocontrol, a good example being the success and impact of the Desert Road Legume Management consortium. More recently, in the Cook Islands, Paul has integrated these technologies to cover two critical needs. The first was for baseline information on weed distribution and extent of invasion: Paul compared satellite imagery, aerial photos and drone imagery as well as RGB [red, green, blue] vs multi/hyperspectral imagery to capture reflected light that cannot be seen with the naked eye vs. LiDAR laser technology [laser imaging, detection, and ranging]. His maps produced by these methods, along with the help of AI, informed the community of stakeholders about how much more widespread and dense than originally thought these two species of invasive trees are. This information was critical to inform appropriate management strategies. The second critical need was for a practical and safe method for sampling treetops in difficult terrain to assess establishment of biocontrol agents: Paul has experimented successfully with close-up drone photography, and even a claw attachment allowing a drone to retrieve foliage samples of suspected biocontrol agent damage, both allowing safe confirmation by the human on terra-firma below. Paul’s innovative approaches will continue to serve the specific project in the Cook Islands in long-term monitoring of biocontrol agents, and in changes to weed abundance and distribution. This proof of concept will benefit other Pacific nations and can be applied to invasive weeds in New Zealand.
Dave Galloway Innovation Award
The Dave Galloway Innovation Award is named in memory of Life Member Dave Galloway who passed away in January 2016. The Dave Galloway Innovation Award is designed to recognise innovation in biosecurity. It will encompass work carried out with both vertebrates and invertebrates, terrestrial and aquatic. This award can be presented to an individual, group or organisation.41
Pictored: Paul Peterson (L) from the former Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research receives the Dave Galloway Trophy for Innovation from vice-president Shane Hona