Back to Blog

May Connect & Protect Online: Yellow-legged hornet (vespa velutina) update

Our latest Connect & Protect event on Thursday 21 May brought together experts and industry representatives to discuss New Zealand’s current response to the yellow-legged hornets (Vespa velutina) discovery.Speaker Lineup:Mike Inglis | Commissioner, North – Biosecurity New ZealandProfessor Amanda Black | Director – Bioprotection Aotearoa Centre of Research ExcellenceShaun Bennett | Senior Advisor Plant Health Surveillance – Biosecurity New ZealandBelow you can download the speakers’...

TMBC September Online Partners Forum

Our September Online Partners Forum took on a global flavour, connecting biosecurity leaders from Aotearoa and around the world to explore common challenges and collaborative solutions for our marine environments.Below are the presentations and resources from the Forum....

The 2025 Biosecurity Excellence Symposium

We’re so pleased to share that this year’s TMBC Annual Symposium was a roaring success. Over 110 partners, stakeholders, and biosecurity doers and thinkers, came together at the Papamoa Surf Lifesaving Club for a day of learning, great conversations, and inspiring speakers – all fuelled by a delicious spread from Rise Bakery and Kex Catering.The programme highlighted the strength of our collective mahi and the passion driving efforts to protect what we love about Tauranga Moana. Atten...

TMBC Updates from Across the Rohe

We’re over halfway through 2025, and there’s been no shortage of action across the TMBC network. From new sightings and seasonal biosecurity reminders to community activations and partner milestones, the momentum is building – and we’re here to keep you in the loop....

Tamariki Take the Lead in 2025 Biosecurity Hunt

Over 350 locals stepped up for biosecurity this Easter as the Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Hunt returned for another year of fun, learning, and community action.The Hunt brought families, schools, and community members together across five locations – Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Te Puke, Katikati, and Waihi Beach – with the shared goal of protecting our local environment from invasive pests.Using the Actionbound app, participants scanned QR codes, completed educational challenges, and...

Protecting our Paradise – Stopping the spread of exotic caulerpa

Toi Moana Biosecurity Summer Biosecurity Ambassadors have been travelling around the bay this summer to spread the word on preventing the spread of marine pests such as invasive exotic caulerpa. This nasty seaweed can smother the sea floor to stop our native kaimoana from thriving. It has not reached the Bay of Plenty but has become established in locations across the top of the North Island.If you’re out on your boat along the coast this summer and see weed on your anchor, chain or gear, make...

Haerenga Taiao Field Trip: Exploring Te Ao Tūroa at Otāwhiwhi Marae

Participants of the Haerenga Taiao Field Trip gathered to immerse themselves in Mātauranga Māori and explore pressing environmental issues at the Otāwhiwhi Marae in Bowentown. Nestled at the northern entrance of Tauranga Harbour, Otāwhiwhi Marae is a cornerstone of cultural and historical significance for Te Whānau o Tauwhao and the Ngāi te Rangi iwi. The field trip explored diverse and critical topics under the overarching themes of Mātauranga Māori, mana atua, whakapapa, and maramataka...

Increased Numbers of Asian paddle crab

During the trapping process, Manaaki Te Awanui also found increased numbers of the Asian paddle crab compared to previous seasons. This is an aggressive marine pest that can carry diseases, eat vital shellfish species and compete with other native crabs. Both the Japanese mantis shrimp and the Asian paddle crab are detrimental to our marine habitat and native species. As summer approaches, there are precautions we can take to ensure they do not spread further.What can you do to prevent...

Japanese mantis shrimp discovery

It was an eventful day for the Manaaki Te Awanui Research Trust at Tauranga Harbour, which made the first discovery of the Japanese mantis shrimp in the Bay of Plenty Region. As part of Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Asian Paddle Crab trapping programme, a single Japanese mantis shrimp (JMS) was captured in one of the traps near Ōmokoroa.The invasive, non-native shrimp was first reported in New Zealand in Kaipara Harbour, Northland, in 2010. The closest known location to the Bay o...

Tiakina Taiao Biosecurity Programme 2025

TMBC has been planning for another year of Tiakina Taiao in 2025, with our first session set to be held in late March. We have schools from all across the Bay of Plenty coming along to Pilot Bay to participate.The programme helps Tamariki learn about their natural environment and seeks to inspire future biosecurity leaders! Infused with Mātauranga Māori, mana atua, whakapapa and maramataka, Tiakina Taiao lays the foundation for understanding Te Ao Tūroa. Contemporary science and knowledge ...

We're not a fan of fanworm

Mediterranean fanworm was first detected in New Zealand in 2008 and is now present in several harbours, including many parts of the of the upper North Island. They form dense beds of up to 1,000 individuals per square metre and are highly effective filter feeders, so they are good at out-competing our native species for food and space.Mediterranean fanworm is typically spread on dirty boat hulls. Thanks to the vigilance of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council dive team, who do regular surveillance...

Bay of Plenty Garden & Arts Festival

TMBC was represented at the Bay of Plenty Garden & Arts festival from the 14-17th of November, with our partners and friends sharing insights on critical biosecurity topics. A presentation led by Nicky Oliver-Smith and Steph Bathgate was held to discuss the evolution of DIY backyard ponds. Titled “From the Pond to the Lake”, Nicky outlined the impact of exotic aquatic plants and the importance of including a mix of freshwater plants, fish and turtles!The unpredictable weather didn’t hi...