CALLING ALL ADVENTURERS!
Scout out invasive pests, friend or foe? Navigate, investigate, protect our Bay. We’re counting on you to save the day!
YOUR MISSION
Put your wits and skills to the test, find the pests—we need you at your best!
Search the spots, answer the clues, then report what you find. It’s big biosecurity news!
TIME FRAME
The hunts officially run from
Friday 11 April until
Sunday 4 May 2025
LOCATIONS
Pilot Bay, Mount Maunganui
Waterfront, Tauranga CBD
Haiku Pathway, Katikati
Main Beach, Waihi Beach
Te Ara Kahikatea, Te Puke
Complete the hunt at a local favourite location.
THE PESTS
Critters that swim, crawl, or fly. Some are sneaky, tricky, and hard to spy!
YOUR TOOLS
Grab a phone, download the free Actionbound app. Explore on foot with Actionbound's map!
Disclaimer: This adventure is just pretend—no real pests will be hunted or harmed. It's all for fun, learning, and protecting our Bay!
21 epic experiences on land, air,
and sea + more prizes to be won!
Imagine swinging through the treetops at Adrenaline Forest and Rotorua Canopy Tours, trekking the great outdoors on horseback with Huntaway Farms Horse Treks, scaling rock walls at Rocktopia Clip 'n Climb, catching waves at Waihi Beach with Beach Surf School, exploring the wild beauty of Moutoharā Island Sanctuary, or learning about our national treasures at the National Kiwi Hatchery Experience – plus so much more!
Whether you’re craving adventure or a chance to connect with nature, there’s a prize for every type of explorer. Get involved and you could be scoring one of these unforgettable experiences!
NOT LONG UNTIL THE HUNTS BEGIN
HOW TO PLAY:
FREE on iOS and Android smartphones
Grab your friends or whānau—up to 6 players can join the fun
Scan your hunts QR code and you’re off!
Follow the clues, answer the questions, and find the locations
Safety Note: It is recommended that young children complete the hunts with an adult.
Open the Actionbound app on your smartphone and scan the QR code of the hunt you'd like to complete below.
Pilot Bay - Mount Maunganui
- 1.5km - 2km track
- Walking 1 hour (approx)
- Suitable for walking (some gravel and stairs and little hills).
- Starts: Pilot Bay Salisbury Wharf end
- No roads
Main Beach - Waihi Beach
- 1km - 1.5km track (some sand)
- Walking / Prams: 1 hour (approx)
- Suitable for Prams and walking
- Starts: Brighton Reserve, Waihi Beach
- No roads
Haiku Pathway - Katikati
- 1.5km - 2km track
- Walking / Prams: 45 minutes
- Suitable for Prams and walking
- Starts: Haiku Pathway, Katikati
- No roads
Waterfront CBD - Tauranga
- 1.5km - 2km track
- Walking / Prams: 1 hour (approx)
- Suitable for Prams and walking
- Starts: Near playground Waterfront, Tauranga CBD
- No roads
Te Ara Kahikatea Pathway - Te Puke
- 2km - 3km track
- Walking / Prams: 1 hour (approx)
- Suitable for Prams and walking (some gravel).
- Starts: near cemetry Te Ara Kahikatea Pathway, Te Puke
- No roads
HUNT DOWN THESE PESTS
Asian Paddle Crab
The Asian Paddle Crab is a swimming crab native to South East Asia. It is normally found in the waters of Japan, Korea and Malaysia. It has the potential to compete with native crabs for their habitat and food.
Status in NZ:
PRESENT IN SOME PARTS OF NZ
Fall Armyworm
The Fall Armyworm is a pesky moth (yes, not a worm at all!) that can cause a lot of trouble for farmers because its young, called larvae or caterpillars, love to eat crops. The larvae does the most damage to our crops.
Status in NZ:
PRESENT IN SOME PARTS OF NZ
PA pathogen - the threat to Kauri
Kauri are a taonga (treasure) of Aotearoa New Zealand. They are threatened by a pathogen called Phytophthora agathidicida (PA for short) which lives in soil and infects Kauri trees through their roots.
Status in NZ:
PRESENT IN SOME PARTS OF NZ
Rooks
Rooks are large black birds from the crow family, introduced to New Zealand in the 1800s. They're now considered pests for damaging crops and pasture, especially in the North Island.
Status in NZ:
PRESENT IN NZ
Woolly Nightshade
Woolly nightshade is a fast-growing, invasive shrub with large, furry leaves and purple flowers. Originally from South America, it’s now a serious pest in New Zealand. It spreads quickly, outcompetes native plants, and can be toxic to humans and animals.
Status in NZ:
PRESENT IN NZ
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is an agricultural, horticultural, and social pest. It's native to Asia and has spread through North America and Europe. It feeds on plant species and could decimate agricultural industries.
Status in NZ:
NOT PRESENT
Invasive Freshwater Clams
Freshwater Clams are now in New Zealand and causing trouble. First spotted in the Waikato River in May 2023, they live in big piles on the riverbed.They can take all the food out of the water and crowd out native shellfish.
Status in NZ:
PRESENT IN SOME PARTS OF NZ
Northern Pacific Seastar
The Northern Pacific Seastar is a
creature native to the waters of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean,
including Japan, Russia, North China,
and Korea.
Status in NZ:
NOT PRESENT IN NZ
Spotted Lanternfly
The spotted lanternfly is a colourful but destructive insect native to Asia. It feeds on the sap of trees and plants, weakening them and making them vulnerable to disease.
Status in NZ:
NOT PRESENT IN NZ
Exotic Caulerpa
A type of seaweed that was discovered at Aotea Great Barrier Island in 2021. These seaweeds are easy to spot because they're bright green and have blades that look like little oars.
Status in NZ:
PRESENT IN SOME PARTS OF NZ
Myrtle Rust
Myrtle Rust, a troublesome fungal disease that affects myrtle plants in New Zealand like pōhutukawa and rātā, mānuka and kānuka, ramarama and swamp maire, and exotic plants like feijoa has spread across the North Island and the top of the South Island.
Status in NZ:
PRESENT IN SOME PARTS OF NZ
Mediterranean Fanworm
The Mediterranean fanworm is an invasive marine species that forms dense colonies on underwater surfaces. It competes with native marine life for food and space and often spreads via boat hulls and marine equipment.
Status in NZ:
PRESENT IN SOME PARTS OF NZ
Wallabies
Wallabies are small to medium-sized marsupials native to Australia, but they've also been introduced to New Zealand. In some regions, they're considered pests because they damage native forests and compete with livestock for pasture.
Status in NZ:
PRESENT IN NZ
CHECK OUT SOME OF THE PARTICIPANTS FROM 2024!
It takes all of us to protect our region from pests and diseases.
This hunt is brought to you by Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital Incorporated (TMBC), developing our next generation of biosecurity champions!
Thank you to all our TMBC funding partners for making this possible.