19 April 2019
Mobile Apps to Keep New Zealand Safe
Mobile technologies are being developed to help New Zealanders report suspected biosecurity threats, with the first step being a bilingual app that helps identify myrtle rust infections.
The inventory of research outputs and resources can be found here:
This research is Completed
Overview Te Tirohanga Whānui
As part of this BioHeritage Challenge project, Dr Stephen Pawson from the University of Canterbury (previously Scion) is leading a team that has developed the Myrtle Rust Reporter app for observing common host plants that may be susceptible to myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii).
The app, available in English and Reo Māori, was released in November 2017 and is being used to report potential infestations of myrtle rust. This will support long-term management of the fungal disease that’s threatening New Zealand’s native species including pōhutukawa, ramarama, northern and southern rātā, and mānuka.
The Myrtle Rust Reporter app is just one developed so far by Stephen and his team, who are working with central and regional government, Māori, and primary industries to create mobile technology tools that protect New Zealand from biosecurity threats.
This project contributes towards BioHeritage’s goal of creating a world-class biosecurity system for Aotearoa.
This two-year programme aims to provide an enduring and flexible model for a fast, easy-to-use system that can be used to identify, report and prompt immediate responses to plant and animal pests.
Highlights Ngā Mahi Whakahirahira
A business case submitted to Biosecurity New Zealand to support investment in software development has been accepted. Biosecurity New Zealand has contributed funds and data to the project, while Environment Southland and a number of primary sector industry organisations have also provided support. Work has now started on the development of a minimum viable software product along with case studies to evaluate it.
Any future apps developed will draw on central and regional government agency data to focus surveillance efforts on high-priority threats as they emerge. Iwi partners Te Tira Whakamātaki (the Māori Biosecurity Network) and Wakatū Inc. will participate in the co-development process to incorporate mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge).
In February 2018, a post-doctoral researcher joined the team, helping to extend the size, scope, investment and capabilities of the project.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for any outputs (papers, data etc) from this project that you don’t see on this page please visit our data repository.
Team Members Ngā kaimahi
- Steve Pawson; University of Canterbury
Related News
Resource outputs from this programme
Video
Crazy & Ambitious 2 – 2019
A playlist of presentations given at New Zealand’s Biological Heritage Science Challenge conference, Crazy & Ambitious 2. 20 – 21 May 2019, Te Papa Wellington.
Video
Crazy & Ambitious – 2017
A playlist of presentations given at New Zealand’s Biological Heritage Science Challenge inaugural conference, Crazy & Ambitious. 8-10 May 2017, Te Papa Wellington
Publication
The role of the social sciences and economics in understanding and informing tree biosecurity policy and planning: a global summary and synthesis
We present available evidence on six key dimensions: (1) the role of different stakeholders and the broader public within tree health; (2) levels of knowledge…
Summary
BRIEF: Find a Pest
How can we support early detection of new pests and increase our understanding of the distribution and density of existing pests? Through harnessing citizen science!
Publication
Moths and butterflies on alien shores: Global biogeography of non-native Lepidoptera
Aim Lepidoptera is a highly diverse, predominantly herbivorous insect order, with species transported to outside their native range largely facilitated by the global trade of…
Publication
Worldwide border interceptions provide a window into human-mediated global insect movement
As part of national biosecurity programs, cargo imports, passenger baggage, and international mail are inspected at ports of entry to verify compliance with phytosanitary regulations…
Publication
Invasion disharmony in the global biogeography of native and non-native beetle species
Aim The concept of “island disharmony” has been widely applied to describe the systematic over- and under-representation of taxa on islands compared to mainland regions.…
Publication
Expanding general surveillance of invasive species by integrating citizens as both observers and identifiers
Expanding general surveillance can improve invasive species detection to support eradication. Traditionally, citizens report observations to government agencies and mobile-phone-based tools provide incremental submission and…
Publication
Considering unseen arrivals in predictions of establishment risk based on border biosecurity interceptions
Assessing species establishment risk is an important task used for informing biosecurity activities aimed at preventing biological invasions. Propagule pressure is a major contributor to…
Publication
Emerging Stakeholder Relations in Participatory ICT Design: Renegotiating the Boundaries of Sociotechnical Innovation in Forest Biosecurity Surveillance
Research Highlights: This research advanced understanding of stakeholder relations within the context of innovation using citizen science in a biosecurity sociotechnical system (STS) in Aotearoa,…