An interview with… Brendan Gould

(Photo) At Petone Beach with the family. An interview with… Brendan Gould This month we talk to Brendan Gould, the Forest Owners Association’s new Biosecurity Manager, about some of the biggest challenges for forestry and why they’re investing heavily in biosecurity research and development.  How did you get involved in biosecurity? As a marine scientist,…

Read More

The borders are closed but has our biosecurity risk gone away?

The borders are closed but has our biosecurity risk gone away? KVH is calling upon growers to ensure that on-orchard biosecurity for kiwifruit pests and pathogens is not forgotten and most importantly to keep an eye out for any unusual vine symptoms during harvest and report these to KVH for follow up. If an incursion were to occur now – while the country…

Read More

New ‘Biosecurity Hub’

New ‘Biosecurity Hub’ in the early stages of development New Zealand’s Biological Heritage National Science Challenge, of which TMBC is a flagship, has recently kicked off funding for seven new research projects. One of these investments aims to develop a ‘virtual biosecurity hub’ for Aotearoa. The Hub will be a framework, supported by stakeholders, to identify and triage a flow of new advanced tools,…

Read More

Stink bug approach working

(Photo) Keep NZ Stink Bug Free TMBC banner. Stink bug approach working The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is one of New Zealand’s most feared crop eating pests. It’s not established in New Zealand but it’s a sneaky pest that we’ve caught at the border many times, hitchhiking on passengers and in imported goods. Up until 20 April, 57 live brown…

Read More

Record number of pests trapped!

(Photo) This 43cm rat won the ‘Biggest Rat’ competition. Predator Free BOP records biggest ever number of pests trapped in a month April has proved to be a very successful month of trapping with Predator Free BOP recording their largest ever numbers since the programme launched in March 2018, with a total of 797 pest kills. That’s up 58% on last month and…

Read More

Weed Warriors wanted!

(Photo) Zara Williams points out a young Woolly nightshade sapling growing in. Weed Warriors wanted to help stop the spread of Woolly nightshade Bay of Plenty Regional Council are calling on local residents to become weed warriors by pulling out or spraying any Woolly nightshade plants that they have on their property. A native of South America, this pesky weed particularly flourishes in…

Read More