Waimirirangi Ormsby (Waikato, Ngātiwai) is our newly appointed Kaiārahi (Knowledge Broker Māori). Waimirirangi met with BioHeritage writer Kerry Donovan Brown to share her vision for her Kaiārahi role. In doing so she reflected on the ways she is shaped by her connection with Aotearoa, and the Aotearoa she’s helping shape for her descendants.
September newsletter
Community meetings, sheep farms teaming up with AI, freshwater social science and more.
Kauri Ora and Myrtle Ora community meetings – invaluable places to connect
The Kauri Ora and Myrtle Ora community meetings are hui ā-ipurangi (virtual meetings) open to the public, where regional councils, researchers and communities give updates on operations and on the science on these two pathogens. Resources are shared, questions are posed, and connections are made all across Aotearoa. For the September hui, the Kauri Ora platform uplifted a special exhibition showcasing the knowledge and artistry of some of our youngest environmental kaitiaki (guardians).
The New Zealand Merino Company signs on to partner with Eco-index
The New Zealand Merino Company (NZM) is teaming up with the Eco-index programme to develop remote-sensing technology for quantifying native biodiversity on sheep farms.
Ngā Pī Ka Rere spotlight: Izzy Busby, fascinated by citizen science
Izzy Busby is passionate about science accessibility. She is harnessing her passion in a new role as research fellow for Novel Tools and Strategies – Supporting PF2050. In this role, she will be developing a software tool to help communities make decisions about invasive mammalian predator control.
Stepping up: Cecilia Arienti-Latham joins Waitangi Wood to co-lead Integrated Surveillance
Time for a swap within Theme 4! With former co-lead Dr Dean Anderson moving into research for Integrated Surveillance, researcher, Cecilia Arienti-Latham, will be joining Waitangi Wood in the co-leadership role. Cecilia gives us insight into her experience working on the theme.
Ngā Pī Ka Rere spotlight: Susanna Finlay-Smits, bringing anthropology to biosecurity
Susanna Finlay-Smits is a social scientist at AgResearch who works across numerous BioHeritage programmes. She brings a unique perspective and background to all of her mahi.
Ngā Pī Ka Rere spotlight: Robbie Maris, promoting freshwater biodiversity
BioHeritage welcomes a new Master’s student, Robbie Maris, to Strategic Objective 2: Empowering Kaitiakitanga & Environmental Stewardship. Robbie will be working to empower individuals to participate in activities that promote urban freshwater biodiversity.
Kauri dieback National Pest Management Plan update
On 2 August, the National Pest Management Plan for the protection of kauri (NPMP) came into force. The NPMP establishes clear objectives and a consistent approach for managing the risk of Phytophthora agathidicida across Aotearoa.