The invasive pathogen infects native New Zealand trees in the Myrtaceae family, such as pōhutukawa and mānuka, causing dieback and potentially death. It was first detected in New Zealand in March 2017 and is now prevalent throughout the upper North Island, being recorded as far south as Greymouth. Researcher Dr Michael Bartlett says we need […]
Kauri Rescue going strong after new lease on life
Initially supported by the BioHeritage Challenge, Kauri Rescue was set up to help treat kauri dieback on private property during 2017 and 2018. During that time they had over 500 enquiries from the public and project manager Dr Mels Barton says they were able to create kauri ambassadors within the community. “Supporting landowners with large […]
Scoping group members
We have brought together some of the brightest minds from around New Zealand to form our scoping groups
Kindness in Science
For as long as anyone can remember Western science has been punctuated with horror stories of cut-throat competition and heavy-handed criticism. Frustrated with this ‘winner takes all’ approach, in 2016 a group of New Zealand scientists asked if kindness could lead to better scientists and better science. This Kindness in Science (KiS) movement has since gained […]
Stage One scoping group timeline
Many groups have already begun the scoping process. If you would like to register as being a stakeholder that members of a particular scoping group can contact for external input, please email The schedule of completed and planned first workshops is: May Ngā Rākau Taketake Rapid Implementation Group June Early Career Group Ngā Rākau […]
A guide to BioHeritage scoping groups
1. What are scoping groups? Our scoping groups are made up of 8-10 people who represent a range of relevant research expertise, aligned disciplines and knowledge systems (as much as practicable). We’ve chosen people who have a variety of backgrounds and work experience, but they bring their own skills and views and don’t represent the […]
Giving our fledglings a voice
An Early Career Scoping Group (ECSG) has been created to enable BioHeritage associates to develop their skills and empower their voices in Tranche 2.
Read our monthly eNewsletter
Signing up to our monthly eNewsletter is the perfect way to stay up-to-date with Challenge happenings – click the links below to view past issues. The BioHeritage eNewsletter comes out monthly and provides a snapshot of work being done by our Challenge Parties toward achieving big impacts for Aotearoa’s environment. It also provides information on […]
Partnering to bring nature back to our cities
Find out how urban environments hold a huge, untapped opportunity for restoring our native biodiversity.
Predator Free New Zealand – are we dreaming?
To achieve a predator-Free New Zealand, we need to prepare for future scenarios now.
Sharing environmental DNA across New Zealand
The Environmental DNA (eDNA) Hub had its first public road test in May 2019.
Cutting-edge technology to help mahinga kai species
A complete ‘platinum-standard’ reference genome could help the conservation, commercial and customary harvest of a treasured mahinga kai species.
Strategy update: June 2019
Read the latest update about how we’re progressing our Tranche 2 strategy.
A Restoration Ambassador for rural New Zealand
Farmers will soon have access to free, independent advice about how to conserve native biodiversity on their land.
Bioethics panel
However, moving any new control measures from the lab to the landscape is as much a social challenge as it is a biological challenge. Researchers need to find ways to include the public early and often in discussing predator control plans, and allow people to have a say in which methods are deployed. In response […]
State of biodiversity in NZ
BioHeritage Director Dr Andrea Byrom responds to the NZ Herald about the state of our environment.