Why does it matter?
Biosecurity is about protecting our region against unwanted organisms. It matters to anyone who likes to harvest kaimoana from the sea, walk in native forest or eat New Zealand-grown produce. It essential to protecting our way of life and safegaurds our cherished recreational activities, such as hiking, fishing, and boating are at risk from invasive pests and diseases.
Biosecurity matters to anyone wanting to earn a living or operate a business—in Aotearoa, our economy and lifestyle depend on the health of our land and sea.
As kaitiaki (guardians), we all have a responsibility to protect Aotearoa’s unique ecosystems for future generations.
A biosecurity breach can have devastating economic consequences, disrupting supply chains and threatening livelihoods. Biosecurity underpins the success of vital industries, including ports, exports, horticulture, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and tourism.
By promoting biosecurity awareness, we are simultaneously promoting economic sustainability, biodiversity, and the critical guardianship of Aotearoa for generations to come.
One biosecurity breach could threaten an entire species of birds or trees. It could harm our environment, health, our livelihoods and our cultural identity, affecting us and future generations. It would hit our port, tourism, horticulture and farms – everyone from gardeners to chief executives.
We can’t afford another horticultural disease – Psa devastated orchardists and their families, the Te Puke community in particular. If the brown marmorated stink bug establishes here, it will create havoc in our homes and orchards and cost New Zealand billions of dollars.
Meanwhile, our beloved pōhutukawa, mānuka and kauri currently face deadly threats from introduced invaders.
At TMBC, we're local at heart—with a national impact. Our work in the Bay of Plenty region is driven by the knowledge that what we do here, has a direct impact on other regions. Each and every one of us has a part to play in stopping pests and diseases from entering, spreading, and threatening our way of life here in Aotearoa.