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MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday 17 November 2016

Biosecurity Week to Kick Off with Public Event

Come down to the Port of Tauranga in Mount Maunganui on Monday 21 November for the Biosecurity Week Public Day. There will be competitions, giveaways and games, plus see the biosecurity beagle dog demonstration, learn about your local port and chat to biosecurity experts.

Local residents are invited to attend the Biosecurity Week Public Day at the Port of Tauranga in Mount Maunganui on Monday 21 November, starting at 1pm.

The event marks the start of Biosecurity Week (21 – 25 November) in the Bay of Plenty and coincides with the first overnight cruise ship stay for the season. This is also the start of the high-risk season for pests entering New Zealand.

Kiwifruit Vine Health Chief Executive, Barry O’Neil, said the week was all about getting the biosecurity message out there, as local residents have an important role to play.

“Particularly for residents that live adjacent to an international port, like those in Mount Maunganui, we ask that residents keep a watchful eye out for damaging pests such as the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and Red Imported Fire Ant,” he said.

“We are looking forward to talking to the public about this important issue, as well as reinforcing the message within partner’s industries.”

Effective biosecurity awareness is critical to the Bay of Plenty region. A major biosecurity incursion puts at risk New Zealanders livelihoods, lifestyles and environment, as well as having major impacts on our orchards, forests and farms and the thousands of people they employ.

Port of Tauranga Commercial Manager, Leonard Sampson said the week will provide a good opportunity to strengthen the significance of biosecurity within the community.

“The public day will allow residents to learn about the impacts of invasive pests on us all. The MPI biosecurity beagle dog will also be on hand to demonstrate the fantastic work they do,” he said.

“The awareness week will also see a range of activities happening at the Port of Tauranga involving Port personnel, plus industry partner visits to transitional and post-harvest facilities, to provide biosecurity collateral and raise understanding amongst industry workers.”

Biosecurity Week is part of the biosecurity excellence partnership between Port of Tauranga, Ministry for Primary Industries, Kiwifruit Vine Health, NZ Avocado, Dairy NZ, Forestry Owners Association, NZ Customs and Bay of Plenty Regional Council. The partnership aims to build a port community committed to biosecurity excellence, which includes local residents as well as those working within the port.

-Ends-

Biosecurity Week – Public Day
Port of Tauranga Gates, Salisbury Ave, Mount Maunganui
Monday 21 November
1pm – 3pm

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