Entries are now open for the 2019 New Zealand Biosecurity Awards.

The awards acknowledge people and organisations across New Zealand who are contributing to biosecurity – in New Zealand's communities, businesses, iwi and hapū, government, in the bush, our oceans and waterways, and in our backyards. 

Biosecurity New Zealand head Roger Smith said some New Zealanders didn't understand that the work they were doing was part of the country's biosecurity system.

"From trapping, to pest and disease management in our forests, rivers and oceans, these are all biosecurity actions,” he said.

“In 2018 we had a great response to entries for the Community Awards, so we are pleased to announce that this year there are two tiers for this award. The Community Kahiwi Award, meaning 'heart of the tree,' for programmes longer than 18 months; and the Community Pihinga Award, meaning seedling, for new programmes started in the past 18 months. Each winner receives a $2,500 prize."

The impact the New Zealand Biosecurity Awards have on previous winners goes beyond the recognition and celebration on the awards night. 

Last year’s Local and Central Government and Supreme Award winner Jonathan Streat of Environment Southland said the small effort to entering these Awards was well worth the pay-off. 

“Having [the] Fiordland Marine Regional Pathway Management Plan win the New Zealand Biosecurity Supreme Award acknowledged the value of organisations working together to protect our unique marine ecosystem, while providing inspiration for others to take up the challenge.” 

The New Zealand Biosecurity Award categories are: 

• Department of Conservation Community Pihinga Award 

• Department of Conservation Community Kahiwi Award 

• Te Puni Kōkiri Māori Award 

• GIA Industry Award 

• Eagle Technology Local and Central Government Award 

• Bio-Protection Research Centre Science Award 

• Mondiale Innovation Award 

• AsureQuality Emerging Leader Award 

• Minister’s Biosecurity Award 

• Supreme Award 

Entries close 5pm on July 24. To find out more about the Awards and to enter, visit ThisIsUs.nz