Over 120 attendees representing community groups, iwi, research organisations, councils and government agencies came together online for the inaugural Kauriland Summit in June 2021. The Summit was split into three distinctive sections to reflect the BioHeritage’s priority areas: Whakamana, Tiaki and Whakahou (Empower, Protect and Restore). Each of the seven Ngā Rākau Taketake research themes were […]
Category: News
Myrtle rust found on Aotea
The myrtle rust pathogen has been discovered on a pōhutukawa seedling on Aotea Great Barrier Island.
Better Border Biosecurity (B3) funds new projects to protect Aotearoa’s plants
Better Border Biosecurity (B3) has announced $1.6 million in funding for new research projects.
Connected to the Science Advisory Panel
The newly formed Science Advisory Panel for the Ministry for the Environment’s Chief Executive has strong links to Biological Heritage, with three of its seven members having connections to the Challenge.
Professor Shaun Ogilvie appointed as Kaihautū Ngātahi, Co-Director-Māori
The Biological Heritage National Science Challenge and Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research are very pleased to announce that Professor Shaun Ogilvie has been appointed as the Kaihautū Ngātahi, Co-Director-Māori, for the Challenge. Shaun is taking on this role as part of his appointment as Professor of Ecology and the Environment at the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, […]
Profile: Dr Beccy Ganley
Hailing from Plant and Food Research, Beccy brings to the team a long history of working in the myrtle rust and kauri dieback research space, making her an excellent candidate for the NRT Science Leader role.
Honeybees observed harvesting myrtle rust
An observation of bees harvesting myrtle rust spores in Auckland has recently been reported – a behaviour which is concerning to scientists.
Host susceptibility trial
Researchers are investigating how well tests for myrtle rust susceptibility done under controlled conditions can predict the impacts of myrtle rust in the field.
The role of gene editing in pest control
The Challenge supported a panel discussion on the role of gene editing for pest control in Aotearoa New Zealand, as a part of the New Zealand International Science Festival, in Ōtepoti Dunedin.
B3 supports emerging coming together of tomorrow’s biosecurity experts
A Biological Heritage PhD student was among those supported by Better Border Biosecurity (B3) to meet other emerging talents and share their work at a recent plant conference.
Unlocking Curious Minds
The Unlocking Curious Minds (UCM) fund will be opening in mid-July, to encourage and enable better engagement with science and technology across all of New Zealand.
Myrtle rust: reports from last season
Beyond Myrtle Rust provide updates on the latest observations of the fungal disease affecting the country’s Myrtaceae plant species thanks to keen New Zealanders out and about recording sightings of disease symptoms.