Category: News

A new species of gall midge, Mycodiplosis constricta, has been described. Taxonomists and entomologists may be excited to know that this is the first described species of Mycodiplosis recorded from New Zealand. For the rest of us, the most interesting thing about this species is what it feeds on: the urediniospores of Austropuccinia psidii, the fungus that causes myrtle rust.

Ngā Rākau Taketake welcomes Marcus-Rongowhitiao Shadbolt, a new Master’s student under the Oranga and Conservation & Restoration research themes. He will be looking at how we can best conserve New Zealand’s seeds.

In February this year, Te Tira Whakamātaki and Oranga research theme welcomed Phoebe Fordyce, a research and policy analyst, to their teams. We spoke with Phoebe about her background, the work she has been doing so far, and what she is excited about for the future.

A new BioHeritage research programme, He Mātai i te Taiao (The perpetual sensing of the natural environment), aims to develop a system that enables mātauranga-a-Iwi (localised Māori knowledge) monitoring frameworks and approaches, providing vital evidence for the empowerment and actioning of kaitiakitanga.

Maire tawake, or swamp maire (Syzygium maire), is being threatened by climate change, habitat loss and myrtle rust. We could use seed banking to protect this plant. However, seed storage isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds.

Dr Maria Bargh, co-lead of the BioHeritage Adaptive Governance and Policy programme, has been appointed as deputy chair of an independent panel that will be reviewing electoral law in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Two Auckland University of Technology students have teamed up to give a comprehensive picture of the biotic and abiotic components of kauri soil.

Why might kaimahi working in biosecurity choose to term a project as suppression, control, or elimination instead of eradication? BioHeritage reached out to two of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leaders in biosecurity to turn over some of these stones and examine the nuances in our terminologies.

Erina was kind enough to share some of her perspectives with us as she gets started in her new role.

An incredible cohort of rangatahi (young people) have pulled together to create a series of artworks under the banner of ‘The Great Kiwi Poster Competition’, the third organised by the accoladed Ōtepoti artist Bruce Mahalski.

Will Eason is researching ways to engage the public in the response to biosecurity incursions, as part of a Master of Strategic Communication at the University of Canterbury.

Aspen Berry (Kāi Tahu) is looking at communication related to the campaign to manage myrtle rust as part of a Masters in Strategic Communication at the University of Canterbury.

Five years into the myrtle rust incursion, the question on everybody’s lips is, “How bad is it really?” According to Beccy Ganley, Ngā Rākau Taketake Science Leader, we don’t know.

Anniversaries, good or bad, are a time for reflection. As we observe the five-year anniversary of myrtle rust’s arrival on mainland New Zealand, we find ourselves looking back over the strides made in research, where Ngā Rākau Taketake has contributed, and the future of myrtle ora (health) in New Zealand.