The 2020 Biosecurity Award finalists named today represent outstanding contributions by biosecurity champions making a difference to protect New Zealand’s unique environment from pests and diseases.

The 27 finalists named out of a pool of 70 entries include a kindergarten where its pupils are learning to become guardians of the bush, to volunteers who commit their weekend to cleaning up their local river.

This year has seen more Kiwi kids taking part – with the addition of the Kura (School) Award.

Judging Panel Chairman Dr John Hellstrom says the efforts of all of the high-calibre entrants - both individuals and organisations who devote their time and passion into protecting what we have - was outstanding.

“It was really hard to pick only three finalists in each category and there was a lot of thoughtful debate amongst the judging panel.

"There were also many examples of people who were making huge personal commitments to biosecurity on behalf of us all.” Dr Hellstrom says.

The finalists represent a diverse range of individuals, teams, iwi, schools and community groups, businesses, government agencies and research organisations.

The Biosecurity Awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate some of the exceptional contributions that so many New Zealanders make to safeguard our biosecurity system, says Penny Nelson, head of Biosecurity New Zealand.

“Every entrant deserves recognition and support because they are all stepping up to do something to protect and preserve our environment, primary industries and way of life.

“Their magnificent mahi is fundamental in keeping our biosecurity system strong, and every day they are putting in the hard yards to ensure New Zealand continues to have a world-leading biosecurity system,” she says.

Award winners will be announced in mid-November.

New Zealand Biosecurity Awards 2020 Finalists:

Department of Conservation Community Pihinga Award for new projects/initiatives

• New Zealand Marine Studies Centre - Seashore monitoring for marine pests: A citizen science approach
• Better Border Biosecurity/Auckland Botanic Gardens - The Biosecurity Trail at Auckland Botanic Gardens
• Predator Free Wellington - Miramar eradication project

Department of Conservation Community Kahiwi Award for established projects/initiatives

• Windy Hill Rosali Catchment Trust - Windy Hill Sanctuary, Great Barrier Island
• Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust
• Friends of Waiwhetu Stream - Against the odds

Te Tira Whakamātaki Māori Award 

• Ngāti Porou - Graeme Atkins
• Te Rawhiti 3B2 Ahu Whenua Trust - Nga Kaitiaki o Ipipiri Herenga Waaka (Guardians of Bay of Islands)
• Te Poho o Rawiri Marae - Whaia Tītīrangi

Kura (School) Award 

• Kerikeri Kindergarten Ngahere Programme
• Lynmore Primary School - Lynmore Hunga Tiaki
• St Paul's Collegiate School - Understanding biosecurity future proofing strategies in New Zealand secondary schools

GIA Industry Award

• Fruit Fly Council - Fruit Fly Response 2019
• Miraka - Te Ara Miraka: achieving enhanced biosecurity awareness and culture change on-farm
• Plant Research (NZ) Ltd - New Zealand achieves a world first eradication of pea weevil

Eagle Technology Local and Central Government Award

• Waikato Regional Council - Waikato alligator weed management programme
• Wellington City Council – Animal pest management dashboard for Wellington City
• Mary van Andel, MPI - Strategic leadership for Mycoplasma bovis and COVID -19 responses

Bio-Protection Research Centre Science Award

• Victoria University of Wellington - Mātauranga Māori and Molecular Science: working together to stop kauri dieback and other plant diseases.
• OnSide - Network technology to inform risk-based testing, eradicating biosecurity incursions in the primary sector
• Epi-Interactive - Scientific excellence strengthening New Zealand biosecurity and One Health frameworks

Mondiale Innovation Award

• Onside - Network technology to inform risk-based testing, eradicating biosecurity incursions in the primary sector
• Predator Free Wellington - Miramar eradication project
• Groundtruth Ltd - Trap.nz

AsureQuality Emerging Leader Award

• Ethan McCormick from Howick College
• Yanika Te Paea Reiter from the University of Waikato
• Thomas (Tame) Malcolm from Te Tira Whakamātaki and Te Arawa Waka

© Scoop Media