Scholarships & Awards

Purpose statement

The purpose of the scholarship is to provide funds to assist with an individual’s research to improve knowledge in the field of biosecurity.

Eligibility and conditions

The scholarship, to a maximum of $2,000 is restricted to New Zealand citizens or residents of New Zealand and undertaking research in the field of biosecurity. The scholarship also comes with a complementary membership for 2 years. Note that this scholarship cannot be used for study only; if the applicant is looking for support for completing a degree or training, please see the Wendy Mead Professional Development Award.

Evidence of employment and/or registration with a recognised university or other tertiary training provider is required.

Where the applicant is currently in employment, preference will be given to applicants who have their employer’s approval for the research.

A written report on the research is to be submitted to the NZBI within six months of the work being completed. This can be combined with the Protect article (see below). Where the award contributed to long-term work, annual progress reports are to be submitted. As condition of acceptance, the recipient is to produce an article for publication within the NZBI Protect magazine.

NZBI may withhold payment until the final confirmation that the study or research project is to proceed. A letter of intent to make the payment will be issued on the successful granting of the award.

This award carries a stand-down period whereby successful applicants will not be considered for 3 years from the date of last being awarded.

Tenure

The scholarship is a single payment, for one 12 month period.

Applications

All applications shall be made using the Online Application Form on the drop-down menu at the top of this page, or by emailing the Awards Co-ordinator. Extra pages may be included, but ensure all parts of the form are filled out.

The applications shall be accompanied by:

1. The names and contact details of two referees.
2. A statement explaining the relevance of the candidate’s proposed research.
3. Any other evidence that the candidate judges relevant to the application.

Applications will be accepted from 1 August to the closing date of 31 October each year.

Assessment criteria

In making an award the Selection Committee will take into consideration:

• The value of the proposed research to furthering New Zealand’s biosecurity interests
• The practical relevance of the proposed research to the aims of the NZ Biosecurity Institute
• The quality of the individual’s application (including whether the applicant has received the award previously)
• The personal qualities of the applicant
• Referees’ comments

A member of the Selection Committee may contact the applicant for additional information.

Further information

Any queries regarding the award process should be directed to the Awards Co-ordinator:

Rowan Sprague

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Previous recipients of the NZBI Scholarship (previously Study Award)

2002: T McKenzie

2003: E van der Bosch

2004: O Johnston; L Koshy & M Hutchison

2005: A Fortune & S Shaw

2006: H Kilikus

2007: D Middleton

2008: B Morelissen

2009: J Gosden

2010: M Mathieson

2011: K Schimanski

2012: D Stronge

2013: -

2014: -

2015: E Moffett & J Aley

2016: -

2017: -

2018: Nigel Binks

2019: Brenda Lowry

2020: Britney Ford

2021: Chryee (Crystal) Jones, Maddy Gibson & Sarah Kate Wechsler

2022: Scott Heslop & Ashton Reiser

Purpose statement

The purpose of the award is to provide a member of the NZBI with funds to assist with professional development expenses (e.g. travel or additional training) where that member is undertaking activities to further their knowledge in the field of biosecurity.

Eligibility and conditions

The Professional Development Award to the value of $1,500 incl GST is restricted to current members of the NZBI and can be issued twice annually.

Where the applicant is currently in employment, preference may be given to applicants who have their employer’s approval and/or financial support for the professional development. The proposed professional development is to be undertaken within 12 months of the award being granted.

A written report on the professional development is to be submitted to the NZBI within 6 months of the travel or training being completed. As condition of acceptance, the recipient is also to produce an article for publication within the NZBI Protect magazine.

The NZBI may withhold payment until confirmation that the professional development activity is definitely going ahead. A letter of intent to make the payment will be issued on the successful granting of the award.

This award carries a stand-down period whereby successful applicants will not be considered for 3 years from the date of last being awarded.

Tenure

The award is a single payment, for one 12 month period.

Applications

All applications shall be made using the Online Application Form on the drop-down menu at the top of this page, or by emailing the Awards Co-ordinator. Extra pages may be included, but ensure all parts of the form are filled out.

The applications shall be accompanied by:

1. The names and contact details of two referees.
2. A statement explaining the relevance of the candidate’s proposed professional development.
3. A proposed budget of the professional development activity (e.g. approximate travel expenses)
4. Any other evidence that the candidate judges relevant to the application.

Applications for up to $1,500 will be accepted from 1 September to the closing date of 31 October each year, and a second period from 1 April with a closing date of 31 May.

Assessment criteria

In making an award the selection committee will take into consideration:

• The value of the proposed professional development to furthering New Zealand’s biosecurity interests
• The practical relevance of the proposed professional development to the aims of the NZBI
• The individual’s work history in the biosecurity field
• The quality of the individual’s application
• The personal qualities of the applicant
• Referees’ comments
• A member of the selection committee may contact the applicant for additional information.

Selection

The selection committee for each award will be comprised of a minimum of three members of the Executive of the NZ Biosecurity Institute. The decision of the Committee shall be final and is not subject to appeal or review.

The decision

Successful applicants will be notified by 30 November and 31 May respectively.

Further information

Any queries regarding the award process should be directed to the Awards Co-ordinator:

Rowan Sprague

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Previous recipients of travel and professional development awards

2001: W Baker

2003: Chris Budenhagen

2005: Ben Minehan

2008: Dave Galloway

2009: K Westfall and Michael Urlich

2010: J Barton and A McDonald

2011: S Wilkens and Jono Underwood

2012: Carolyn Lewis and Hamish Laas

2013: N Gallagher and Kerry Bodmin

2014: Diane Fraser

2016: Sara Moylan

2017: Pete Raal and Sean Cunningham

2018: Heidi Pene and Diane Fraser

2019: Randall Milne

2022: Shane Hona

The Peter Nelson Memorial Trophy is awarded annually by the NZ Biosecurity Institute to individuals or organisations, for achievement in Vertebrate Pest Management within New Zealand. Established by the minutes of the Special General Meeting of VPMINZ, 27 August 2005.

The trophy is a carved kokako standing on a limb above the skulls of small predatory mammals - a rat, a possum and a stoat. The trophy was designed and made by Mr Ray Weaver.

Term

The recipient of the trophy will hold the trophy for 12 months after which it will be transferred to a new recipient. Recipient’s names and the year awarded will be engraved on the trophy at cost to the NZBI.

Recipients

A recipient may be any individual or organisation within New Zealand and does not have to be affiliated to NZBI in any way.

Nominations and deadline

Nominations close on the 30 June each year (extenson to 14 July for 2020). . Nominations should be directed to the [Enable JavaScript to view protected content] and be accompanied by a brief background and justification for the nomination.

Selection panel

The NZBI Executive will appoint a selection panel of at least three, and no more than 6 persons, who will be NZBI members with experience in vertebrate pest management and ecological restoration work.

Further information on nominees

The selection panel may request additional information to support the case for a nomination.

Selection panel decision

The Executive and members of the NZBI shall accept the decision of the selection panel as to whom the trophy shall be awarded as final and non-negotiable.

Presentation

The award will be presented at the NZBI annual conference (NETS) each year, and if possible, to the recipient or the recipient’s representative, who will be invited to be present. The NZBI Executive will select an appropriate person to present the award.

Further information

All queries regarding the Peter Nelson Memorial Trophy should be directed to:

Jono Underwood

President

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Previous Winners

2007 Wellington: Deidrik Meenken

2008 Hamilton: Bruce Warburton

2009 Queenstown: Ray Clarey

2010 Blenheim: Bill Simmons

2011 Auckland: Alby Osborne

2012 Taupo: Keith Broome

2013 Greymouth: Northland Regional Council

2014 New Plymouth: John Simmons

2015 Dunedin: Dave Morgan

2016 Auckland: Maurice Kennedy

2017 Wellington: Graham Nugent

2018 Nelson: Wayne Linklater

2019 Tauranga: Roger Lorigan

2020 (at virtual AGM): High Country Contracting Limited

2021 (at virtual NETS): John Innes

2022 Christchurch: Wildlife Management International Ltd

2023 Waitangi: Eric Dodds

Peter Ingram was the pest plant coordinator at Environment Bay of Plenty when he died in August, 2001, not long before his 61st birthday.

Pete had been a 50/50 sharemilker and a transport foreman for a Wairarapa dairy company before joining the Tauranga County Council as a trainee Noxious Plants Officer in 1982.

As required, Pete passed his pesticide board exams and Certificate of Proficiency in Noxious Plants Control. He then went on to gain a Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Studies from Massey University.

Peter Ingram had a passion for learning, shared his knowledge and discussed ideas and theories. He was especially encouraging of his team at Environment Bay of Plenty to further their education, apply for study awards and take advantage of learning opportunities.

Pete was a past president of the Institute of Noxious Plants Officers.

The Peter Ingram Award is given to a member of the Biosecurity Institute who has successfully undertaken or enabled others to achieve, relevant to pest plant education, control or management.

Nominations are called in the month prior to the National Education and Training Seminar and awarded at the annual conference. The Peter Ingram Award was provided by his colleagues at Environment Bay of Plenty in 2003.

Please send your nomination to [Enable JavaScript to view protected content].

Nominations close on the 30 June each year.

Previous winners

2004 Rotorua: Margaret Stanley

2005 Christchurch: Wendy Mead

2006 Paihia: Jon Sullivan

2007 Wellington: Paul Champion

2008 Hamilton: Carolyn Lewis and Lynley Hayes

2009 Queenstown: David Moverley

2010 Blenheim: John Mather

2011 Auckland: Ian Popay

2012 Taupo: Peter Joynt (posthumous)

2013 Greymouth: Trevor James

2014 New Plymouth: Ronny Groenteman

2015 Dunedin: Murray Dawson

2016 Auckland: Peter Russell

2017 Wellington: Wayne Cowan

2018 Nelson: Sara Brill

2019 Tauranga: Chris Winks

2020 (at virtual AGM): Kerry Harrington

2021 (at virtual NETS): no recipient

2022 Christchurch: Ken Wright

2023 Waitangi: no recipient

The Dave Galloway Innovation Award is a new award that 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.

Please send your nomination to [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]. Nominations should be accompanied by a brief background and justification for the nomination.

Nominations close on the 30 June each year.

2016 Auckland: Te Tira Whakamātaki (TTW), the Māori Biosecurity Network

2017 Wellington: John Taylor and Rusty the Velvetleaf Dog

2018 Nelson: Cameron Bunton

2019 Tauranga: Not Awarded

2020 (at virtual AGM): Not awarded

2021 (at virtual NETS): Sam Stephens & Juliet O’Connell

2022 Christchurch: Not Awarded

2023 Waitangi: Waikato Regional Council Kauri Protection programme

In accordance with the NZBI Constitution, members can be recognised for long and honourable service rendered to NZBI with a Fellowship to NZBI. This is honorary title only and is bestowed by the Executive Committee.

Recipients

2022 - Paul Champion

In accordance with the NZBI Constitution, members can be recognised for long and honourable service rendered to NZBI with a Life Membership to NZBI. This is bestowed by the NZBI membership during the AGM.

Recipients

Helen Braithwaite

David Brown

Ray Clarey

Neville Daniel

Ian Frizzell

Lynley Hayes

Murray Turner

Kevin Worsley

Paul Champion