(Photo) Biosecurity New Zealand supplied image (Twitter).
Calling all local biosecurity champions
It takes all of us to protect what we’ve got but there are a few champions worth celebrating – could this be you or someone you know? If you or someone you know is doing great work to protect New Zealand it’s time to shine a light on their achievements in the 2020 New Zealand Biosecurity Awards. These awards recognise the incredible individuals and teams who are working hard to help ensure our country and its unique environment is safe from pests and diseases through their contributions to biosecurity – in our communities, businesses, iwi and hapū, government, in the bush and in our backyards. There are ten categories to enter this year. You can also nominate an up-and-coming leader you’d like to see recognised for their contribution to biosecurity in New Zealand for the Emerging Leader Award.
This year there is a new school (kura) award
This year New Zealand Biosecurity Awards will include a dedicated award for schools for the first time. Entries for this award will be open to teams, classes, rōpū and enviro-groups in early childhood centres, primary, intermediate and secondary kura/schools who are working to protect New Zealand from pests and diseases. The winning group will receive a $2,500 prize.
Our two community Awards – Pihinga and Kahiwi
There are two DOC Community Award categories, one for established programmes (Kahiwi, heart of a tree trunk) longer than 18 months, and for new programmes (Pihinga, begin to grow) started in the past 18 months. Each winner receives a $2,500 prize.
Supporting our industry to succeed
New Zealander’s’ depend on a robust biosecurity system for our social and economic survival. The GIA Industry Award recognises those organisations or individuals that have helped to protect Aotearoa from biosecurity threats.
Te Puni Kōkiri Māori Award – protecting our taonga
This award recognises the whanau, hapū, iwi and Māori organisations that are demonstrating a relationship with the taonga and their takiwā and are supporting Māori capability and capacity in the biosecurity system.
If you or someone you know is doing great work to protect Aotearoa from pests and diseases it’s time to shine a light on their achievements – get your entries in!
Entries for the Awards are open on 1 July and close at 5pm on 30 July 2020. Visit ThisIsUs.nz to find out more and enter – it’s easy and it’s all done online. If you have any questions email: biosecurity.awards@mpi.govt.nz.