Please join us for the first TMBC Partners Forum for 2024.

We will be join by Waitangi Wood (Ngatirua, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāpuhi Nui Tonu,
Independent) and Cecilia Arienti (Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research). They will present to us a hapū-centric surveillance framework that focuses on the holistic health of the forest. They will talk about the Intelligence Platform, a federated data platform that addresses data sovereignty and solution for sharing biosecurity, surveillance programme they have been involved in.

‘Surveillance’ comprises the systems, tools and techniques that enable us to track and anticipate impacts on ecosystem health by monitoring biodiversity, primary production and early detection of new invasive species that are killing taonga and our native environment.

New Zealand’s surveillance system currently focuses on exotic pests and often overlooks ensuring healthy and resilient environments. The central investment under this Ngā Rākau Taketake theme is the Mātauranga Māori Framework for Surveillance (MMSF). This investment elevates the status of the environment into the surveillance system.

The Maori Caucus of TMBC will also update us on the Myrtle Rust surveillance and monitoring project they have been working on. Myrtle rust is a serious plant pathogen that impacts New Zealand taonga native species such as pōhutukawa, mānuka, kānuka, rātā, swamp maire and ramarama. It also impacts exotic plant species such as feijoa and guava and eucalyptus.

Myrtle rust is an unwanted organism that has spread in New Zealand and to help spread the word the Maori Caucus have hosted a couple of training sessions on Myrtle this summer which have been appreciated by our members as well as the public. The next session will take place on Sunday 3rd March, 11am – 12pm, The Strand, Tauranga (please meet at the TMBC stand at the Childrens Day Event hosted by Tauranga City Council). Please email lisa@tmbiosecurity.co.nz to secure your spot.

This forum will be an in person event only, we look forward to seeing you all.