Projects
Examples of Andrew’s biosecurity and biodiversity experience includes:
- The Biosecurity Strategy for New Zealand 2003/Biosecurity 2025 - This is the Government's national strategy for biosecurity, established in 2003 and still in place today, which resulted in significant reform of NZ's biosecurity arrangements. Andrew was a member of two of the working groups that contributed to the strategy's development, then was on the strategy implementation team (Biosecurity Strategic Unit) for which he completed a significant machinery-of-government review, changing accountabilities across central government departments and establishing new governance arrangements. Andrew was the only NZ Industry representative appointed to an internal MPI team that drove development of Biosecurity 2025, an updated biosecurity system direction statement. Further information is available at: www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/7152-tiakina-aotearoa-protect-new-zealand-the-biosecurity-strategy-for-new-zealand; www.thisisus.nz/biosecurity-2025/
- Biosecurity Law Reform - Commencement of the Biosecurity Law Reform Act 2012 represents the most significant review of biosecurity legislation since inception of the Biosecurity Act in 1993; this included significant changes to border biosecurity arrangements, establishing the basis for Government Industry Agreements on Biosecurity Readiness and Response, and comprehensive reform of pest management provisions. Andrew oversaw the passage of the Biosecurity Law Reform Bill 2012 and led specific reform of pest management provisions in the Bill. Andrew is also contributing to the latest (2018-2020) Biosecurity Act review. Further information is available at: www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/00DBHOH_BILL10477_1/biosecurity-law-reform-bill
- National Pest Management Plan of Action - This involved streamlining and simplifying pest management legislation (through the Biosecurity Law Reform Act 2012), clarifying roles and responsibilities of agencies and industries in pest management, developing a National Policy Direction to guide the use of pest management instruments under the Biosecurity Act, and developing a national action plan for the pest management sector. Andrew led this as project sponsor. Further information is available at: www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests/surv-mgmt/mgmt/future-project
- Biosecurity excellence at Port of Tauranga – This is an award winning partnership between Port of Tauranga, Government and local industries. Port of Tauranga is New Zealand’s largest and fastest-growing port and 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. Andrew set up and coordinated this initiative. Further information is available at: www.port-tauranga.co.nz/port-tauranga-receives-national-biosecurity-award/
- Ruakura Inland Port (Evidence in Chief – RMA application to Environmental Protection Agency) –Tainui’s ‘Ruakura Inland Port’ designation was approved by a Board of Inquiry in 2014; a $3.3 billion over a 30 to 50 year joint development between Tainui Group Holdings and Chedworth Properties that will create an industrial park, new housing and an "inland port" transport hub to marshal growing freight volumes between the country's busiest sea port, Tauranga, and its largest city, Auckland. Andrew provided Evidence in Chief to advise the Board on biosecurity implications of the proposal. Further information is available at: www.epa.govt.nz/Resource-management/Ruakura/RuakuraEvidence/ApplicantsEvidence/
- GIA/Biosecurity Response Leadership and Management – Andrew worked in capacity as Biosecurity Manager for Kiwifruit Vine Health to pioneer GIA (Government Industry Agreements for Biosecurity Readiness and Response), including the first member, first levy, first operational agreement, and approach to engagement in the wider biosecurity system. Andrew is a skilled response manager that led 19 National Responses in his time with MPI and DOC, was involved in three national simulations (including testing interface with ODESC), and has led strategic engagement on behalf of industry during fruit fly and other responses. Further information is available at: www.gia.org.nz/
- High Risk Site Surveillance Programme review for the forest industry – This was a detailed review of the NZ Government’s High Risk Site Surveillance programme to inform a commercial in-confidence negotiation between the government and industry under the Government Industry Agreement partnership (development of a sector operational agreement for the forest industry). This report is commercial in-confidence and not publicly available.
- Strategic review of Forest Biosecurity – This is a review of strategic direction and oversight of forest biosecurity in order to identify opportunities to improve biosecurity outcomes for forestry. Andrew carried out this review for the Forest Biosecurity Committee. Report not publicly available but may be available on request/with client permission.
- Accelerating Protection for Kauri/National (Kauri Dieback) Pest Management Plan – This is a project to transform the protection of kauri trees in New Zealand, including development of a new national strategy, a national pest management plan and new management and partnership arrangements. Andrew was the ‘Independent Lead’ for this work. https://www.kauridieback.co.nz/
- National Psa-V Pest Management Plan - This is the national plan established by the kiwifruit industry to manage the devastating disease, Psa-V. It establishes the legal basis for management, including setting the objectives, legal requirements and establishing the tools and powers that enable Kiwifruit Vine Health to manage Psa-V on behalf of the industry. Andrew prepared the plan proposal and application to the Minister. Further information is available at: www.kvh.org.nz/national_pest_management_plan
- Long Term Management Plan for Velvetleaf in the Waikato Region – This is the long term management plan for velvet leaf, an invasive plant that impacts animal feed crops (30% yield impact). Andrew developed this plan for the Waikato Regional Council and regional animal industry bodies.
- National biosecurity partnerships and collaborations - Andrew formed and led numerous national partnerships - between central and local government agencies, Maori, industry and the research community - to enable organisations to collaborate and act collectively where that was in New Zealand’s best interests. Examples include:
- Ko Tatou This is Us/Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital (TMBC) – Ko Tatou This is us is the national biosecurity campaign to build a biosecurity team of 4.7 million New Zealanders, and TMBC is a partnership in the Bay of Plenty to drive biosecurity excellence, which recognises the world-leading leadership, collaboration and innovation occurring in the region. Andrew was on the working group that developed Ko Tatou, and led the start-up and is on the leadership team for TMBC. Further information is available at: www.thisisus.nz/; www.tmbiosecurity.co.nz/
- New Zealand Plant Production Biosecurity Scheme/ Kiwifruit Plant Certification Scheme – The NZ Plant Production Biosecurity Scheme (PPBS) is a pan-industry biosecurity scheme for NZ nurseries, developed by a coalition that includes the NZ Government, NZ’s plant-based primary industries (horticulture, viticulture, forestry, plant production), local government and major plant buyers. The scheme is currently being trialled and refined ahead of national rollout in 2020. Andrew assisted early scheme design and chairs the national steering group overseeing this. The Kiwifruit Plant Certification Scheme is a quality assurance programme to enable supply of kiwifruit plants that are free of high risk pests and diseases to support long term success and future growth of the NZ kiwifruit industry. Andrew led development of this scheme which has been operating since 2014. Further information is available at: https://nzppi.co.nz/advocacy/107-696/protecting-our-nurseries-and-industry-from-biosecurity-hazards; www.kvh.org.nz/indnurseries