Category: News

When envisioning biosecurity risk in Africa, a layperson might deem those big bold ecosystems as unassailable by exotic pests. However, those in the know understand that African nations contend with an array of invasive organisms, and even share some problem situations with Aotearoa. “The fall armyworm threatens massive economic damage when it infests food crops,” […]

Aisling co-leads BioHeritage’s early career group Ngā Pī Ka Rere with Symon Palmer and Dr Helen Warburton, a research area in Freshwater for Our Taonga with Dr Matthew Wylie, and a research project in the Impact Pou with Helen Warburton.    She says the research will have important implications for the conservation of taonga species in Aotearoa. “Traditionally, the focus […]

In case you missed it, the Eco-index Ecosystem Restoration Map has been in the news, garnering national coverage from RNZ, The Spinoff, and New Zealand Herald as well as featuring in The Conversation.   Catherine Kirby, Eco-index Communication and Relationships Manager, was hopeful that there would be broad interest in the Ecosystem Restoration Map, but the […]

On 15 September, MBIE announced the successful Endeavour Programme bids. One of these was “Whatu raranga o ngā koiora – weaving cultural authority into gene technologies targeting invasive wasps”, a five-year programme worth over $11 million. Professor Phil Lester of Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington and co-lead of Novel Tools & Strategies […]

The Eco-index team have developed a digital toolkit to help reverse the decline of native biodiversity across Aotearoa New Zealand. They are committed to creating useful, open access tools to share their research findings. Working alongside data analysts and communication advisors, the interdisciplinary team are developing an interactive online map that allows users to explore […]

Back in December 2022, we spoke with Jennifer Bufford about the two-phase horizon scan that was just starting up to identity future needs in weed research. “The first phase of the project was developing possible future scenarios relevant to invasive plant management,” says Jennifer.  Earlier this year, the team invited people from a range of […]

As Liam was finishing up his Bachelor of Laws in 2022 at the University of Canterbury, he came across a Master’s scholarship to critically analyse the coherence of New Zealand’s approach to biosecurity.  “This scholarship interested me because growing up, I’ve always been quite keen on the outdoors,” says Liam. “I do a lot tramping […]

Say you are a decision-maker deciding between two projects – should I fund this public works project for x amount that will take y time for a future benefit of z or do I fund this other project for amount a that will take b time to yield c benefit? For big decisions like these, […]

Keith Lyons in southwest China.

Between 2013 and 2019, Scion led a six-year collaborative research programme to address the threat of Phytophthora species to New Zealand’s natural and agricultural forest estates. As part of the programme, called Healthy Trees, Healthy Future, several mana whenua groups sent their kauri seeds to Scion to be tested for resilience against Phytophthora agathidicida (PA), […]

Since 1998, the New Zealand International Science Festival has inspired curiosity and genius in the minds of attendees. The latest was no exception. Staged in Ōtepoti Dunedin, the festival programme offered 90+ stirring events.   With accessibility in mind, 2023’s programme was available digitality through the festival hub. And now, with July’s festival wrapped, comes the […]

How do you plan to have better biodiversity on your farm, in a way that works with your farm? This pātai, says Esther Richardson, set the stage for BioHeritage-funded Farming with Native Biodiversity’s pilot.  “The challenge we were working with,” says Esther, project lead for the pilot, “is that not everyone has an understanding of […]

Fun fact: Josie Mainwaring has a Bachelor of Architecture from Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington.   “I liked the idea of solving environmental problems with built solutions,” says Josie. “But when I got into practice, I found that you didn’t get to do much of that.”    After a five-year mini-career in architecture, Josie […]

There are two stairways at the Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery that wind up to the galleries that house the Ihirangaranga / Resonances of the Forest: Toi Taiao Whakatairanga exhibition. The front stairway is white and yellow. If you look down while you are climbing, you appear to be gazing into the eye of the […]

The Australasian Myrtle Rust Conference was the first of its kind – a multi-day conference dedicated entirely to Austropuccinia psidii (the pathogen that causes myrtle rust) and the many plants this disease impacts. The conference was well attended by delegates from Australia and New Zealand, as well as delegates from further afield, including the US […]

Ngā Pī Ka Rere – Early Careers Network was established in 2019. From its inception, the focus has been on advocating for and supporting early career aspirations within the Challenge. Ngā Pī Ka Rere is currently being co-led by Symon Palmer (Ngāi Te Rangi; Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington), Aisling Rayne (Cawthron […]