Port of Tauranga is honoured to receive the inaugural Industry Award in the national Biosecurity Awards announced last night. The Awards recognise leadership in support of New Zealand biosecurity.
Awards judge Dr John Hellstrom, MPI Director-General Martyn Dunne, Port of Tauranga Chief Executive Mark Cairns and Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy
Port of Tauranga is New Zealand’s largest and fastest-growing port, handling more than 22 million tonnes of import and export cargo annually. In the past year, the Port processed more than a million TEUs (twenty foot equivalent units) of containerised cargo, the first port in New Zealand to do so.
Biosecurity is an integral part of the Port’s operations and is a joint effort. Port of Tauranga works with importers and exporters, service providers, the Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand Customs Service and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
In 2014, industry representatives Kiwifruit Vine Health and Port of Tauranga launched a partnership focused on achieving operational biosecurity excellence at the Port. It included an awareness programme for staff.
“It’s about everyone doing their bit and working together to protect New Zealand’s environment and primary industries from unwanted biosecurity risks,” says Port of Tauranga Chief Executive Mark Cairns.
“By having a heightened awareness of what to look for in day-to-day operations, all staff within the port community can play a part in keeping unwanted pests out of port operations.”
A target pest has been the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, which likes to hitchhike on containers and has the potential to impact significantly on horticulture sectors. Another risk was cruise passengers disembarking with fresh produce that could be hosting fruit flies.
Port of Tauranga would like to acknowledge its partners in the initiative.
