Biosecurity Taranaki

Biosecurity Taranaki – a regional biosecurity collaboration

Recognising that good biosecurity is crucial to protect Taranaki’s unique and diverse qualities, Biosecurity Taranaki is a new initiative that brings together iwi, hapū, agencies, industry groups, businesses, councils and community groups to take a collective approach to build resilience and strengthen the region.

Biosecurity Taranaki’s purpose is to build a biosecurity network that is proactive in safeguarding Taranaki’s unique environment, economy and way of life from the threat of pests and disease. The programme is being developed by the region for the region.

A growing network of champions has been established as well as a leadership team to give direction and guidance to the initiative. Biosecurity Taranaki’s Chair is Willy Harvey, a community leader with many years of commercial, sporting and community experience. The vision is of a thriving Taranaki for generations to come where every community member is connected to biosecurity, knows it is important and is motivated to act.

New champions are welcomed. Biosecurity Taranaki works with all partners to understand and identify where biosecurity impacts their interests and how this can be optimized or mitigated. The group recognises that everyone is at a different stage of their biosecurity journey and there is no judgement about what phase anyone is at. It is a chance to grow knowledge, share learnings and collectively work together to manage biosecurity risks in the region.

Member commitments

Members of Biosecurity Taranaki are committed to creating a movement of biosecurity champions. They recognise that pests and diseases can devastate the region and that it takes a community to tackle biosecurity threats successfully. Members undertake to –

Grow awareness of biosecurity threats and take action to minimise risk.
- Understand the potential impacts of biosecurity threats and how to be better prepared.
- Take opportunities to support community, customers, staff, suppliers, volunteers and other stakeholders to understand the importance of biosecurity and what good biosecurity practice looks like.

Build biosecurity capability.
- Be champions within own organisations by integrating proactive biosecurity practices into our governance, operations and supply chains.
- Look for opportunities to share learning and promote resources.
Protect Taranaki’s future for generations to come.
- Provide strong, future-focused leadership.
- Always be ready to take action.
Be accountable to targets developed.
Embrace mātauranga Maori of Taranaki’s eight iwi to assist with protecting the Taranaki environment against biosecurity threats

Register your interest

We are in the early stages of establishing what we will do as a collective and how we work together, so we welcome all interest.

To find how more and to express your interest in becoming a Biosecurity Taranaki champion, please email biosecurity@trc.govt.nz . There is no cost to signing up.

Who is part of Biosecurity Taranaki so far?

Asplundh
AsureQuality
Biosecurity New Zealand
Contract Resources Ltd
East Taranaki Environment Collective
ISO Limited
Manawa Energy
Mosquito Consulting Services (NZ)
Ngāti Mutunga
Ngāti Te Whiti Hapū
Parininihi ki Waitōtara
Port Taranaki
Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust
South Taranaki DC
South Taranaki DC
SPS Biota
Taranaki Catchment Communities
Taranaki Regional Council
Taranaki Chamber of Commerce
Te Heru Māpara
Te Korowai o Ngāruahine trust
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui Trust
Te Whatu Ora
Venture Taranaki

Download the Biosecurity Taranaki flyer [PDF, 283KB]

Events

Biosecurity Taranaki was formally launched at an event in New Plymouth on 22 March 2024. Local MPs, iwi, hapū, industry group leaders, government agencies, local government, businesses and community groups came together to celebrate the new collaboration as a milestone for safeguarding the region from the threat of pests, weeds and diseases.

Taranaki Regional Council Chair Charlotte Littlewood said Biosecurity Taranaki is an exciting initiative that will complement the council’s long-running pest management programmes. “Protecting Taranaki from pests and diseases is a massive task but by all working together we’re giving ourselves the best possible chance of success.”

Keynote speaker, Stuart Anderson, Deputy Director-General Biosecurity New Zealand, said the launch of Biosecurity Taranaki marked a pivotal milestone for the region. “Biosecurity New Zealand will work with Biosecurity Taranaki and its members to build a community of biosecurity champions who will advocate for, and take action to, ensure the very best biosecurity outcomes, protecting this incredible region. Working together we are stronger – this is biosecurity in action.”

A panel discussion around the role of biosecurity in building a thriving future for Taranaki included Simon Craddock, Chief Executive of Port Taranaki who talked about the challenges facing the shipping industry, local operations and how teams keep a focus on biosecurity.

A variety of displays – from freshwater gold clams to the Tipu Mātoro National Wallaby Programme to sea spurge – and a demonstration by a possum detection dog, also helped illustrate the wide range of current and potential threats.

Keep an eye on this page for upcoming events.

Strengthening preparedness in the plant sector

In June, Biosecurity Taranaki co-hosted a Plant Pass workshop that was attended by nurseries, community groups and iwi and councils.

Held at Pukeiti in Taranaki, the event highlighted how the need for good biosecurity in the plant sector has never been more critical. The purpose of the day was to motivate plant producers, buyers, funders and influencers to join the Plant Pass network, thereby safeguarding their own operations as well as Aotearoa from the threat of pests, weeds and pathogens.

As well as learning about the voluntary Plant Pass scheme, attendees participated in a readiness and response exercise that generated insight into potential impacts of a biosecurity incursion and why participants should protect nurseries and supply chains by becoming certified under the voluntary Plant Pass scheme.

The workshop fostered a sense of purpose among all participants, paving the way for a more secure and resilient plant sector in Taranaki. Excellent feedback was received and Biosecurity Taranaki’s Chair, Willy Harvey, said “Today’s workshop has been a testament to the power of vibrant collaboration. We’ve not only shared knowledge but also forged new partnerships and ignited a collective passion for plant biosecurity in Taranaki.”

Willy Harvey - Chair, Biosecurity Taranaki and Jacinta Harrop - Extension Coordinator, Plant Pass

Biosecurity Matters

Biosecurity Matters is a quarterly newsletter with all the latest news about Biosecurity Taranaki.

August 2024

In this first edition, read about Biosecurity Taranaki's chair Willy Harvey, our presence at the upcoming Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival, a new invasive weed found in Taranaki and more.

Biosecurity in other regions

There are many regional industry and community groups doing important biosecurity mahi around Aotearoa New Zealand. You can support these groups by volunteering your time, donating funds or talking to friends and family about their work.

Top of the page photo credit: Mt Taranaki aerial from Stratford by Rob Tucker.