Mid Dome Wilding Trees Charitable Trust
October 2022 to August 2023
BBSL developed and wrote the 3rd Strategy to manage wilding conifers impacting on the iconic Mid Dome area of northern Southland (2023-to 2033). The work of the Trust is half way there and this Strategy focuses on what is needed to complete the job. It addresses on going funding issues, the seed rain from nearby plantation forestry interests, contractor capacity/capability and the role of Environment Southland to enact Biosecurity Act legislation compelling occupiers to undertake control once work transitions from the Trust to occupier control. “Thanks very much for the final edits which are an excellent summation of our recent meeting. I'm very satisfied with where the Strategy has 'landed' … and it is now approved [Sept. 2023]. I'm confident that the Strategy allows for the flexibility needed to navigate through the coming years. It's been a pleasure to work with you. If you ever require a reference for the work that BBS does in the wilding field I would be happy to provide this on behalf of the Trust”. Ali Ballantine, Chair Mid Dome Trust. Read the Strategy below. A full reference from the Trust is available on request.
Mid Dome, and the environs around it are very special places, - they need to be protected from the ravages of wilding conifers.
Ministry for Primary Industries / Tiakina Kauri
Wellington - January to July 2023
Developing best practice guidelines for soil and root sampling for Phytophthora agathidicida detection (the pathogen that causes kauri dieback). A plain English protocol was required that explains to surveyors about the risks involved and the efforts needed to prevent PA spread to new kauri stands and causing more kauri dieback. Includes: prior planning; sampling design; equipment to be used and how it’s to be cleaned; taking samples and storage and transportation. Hygiene and sterilization measures are paramount. “Thank you very much for getting this final version to us. Much appreciated!! Great to see the edits incorporated. I feel good that everyone has had a chance to see it. I enjoyed working with you and appreciate your ability to get it done without me breathing down your neck 😊 We will definitely reach out if we need anything along these lines again. Lauren Waller, Science Lead Tiakina Kauri | Kauri Protection
Cover photo: Iconic seascape around Whitianga Harbour, needs protection from wilding pines
Waikato Regional Council / MPI
Hamilton Feb 2021 to May 2023
Developing wilding conifer management plans for the whole Coromandel Wilding Conifer Management Unit. Two pieces of work were carried out for clients: including a detailed plan developed for the Moehau, Northern Coromandel area (part of an MPI Jobs For Nature programme) and a wider Strategy written of other potential sites on the Peninsula worthy of protection, as a lead in to wider stakeholder consultation. Involved field work, working with passionate community groups and landowners over harvest/control expectations and wishes, iwi liaison and technical support and recommendations made on how to achieve project goals. To be presented at Wilding Pine Conference, Queenstown, October 2023.
Undertaken for the Biosecurity Pest Plant Team at WRC, Hamilton office (with MPI funding support)
“It is great to have you involved in wilding conifers again. Your thinking around how we approach this is logical and easy to follow”.
Sherman Smith - Wilding Conifer Programme Manager, MPI
Whakatete Bay storm damage ex Cyclone Gabrielle, Feb 2023. Massive wilding pines slipping are causing extreme issues for the narrow Thames Coast highway strip of land, cutting power, fibre and important access for residents. There are also internationally significant native forests behind this area, with wildings invading these areas. Time for NZTA, DOC, MPI, WRC and TCDC to come up with a proactive action plan.
Fonterra and Department of Conservation (Living Water partnership)
Towards a Predator Free Pukorokoro-Miranda, February 2019 - March 2022
Development of a Predator Free 2050 Strategy proposal for this iconic catchment on the Firth of Thames. Includes new and novel approaches to possum, rat and stoat control over short steep catchments, to complement wider catchment enhancement work to improve water quality and biodiversity. Landowners are highly supportive and with some injection of funding and a practical control plan developed, this scheme will well complement PF 2050 aspirations in the region. In progress.
Carried out for Dion Patterson and Tim Brandenburg.
Biosecurity Act Training - Authorised Persons
Bay of Plenty RC, Otago RC, Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Tasman DC, Greater Wellington RC - Feb 2020 to present
Undertaken new and refreshed training for staff and contractors across the country in the wake of new regional pest plans being written and moving to implementation phases. New staff and experienced staff need training in what to do and what not to do when entering land and placing requirements on landowners. This training has been well received, it puts emphasis on real life situations that staff find themselves in - such as dealing with aggressive people, working with ambiguity and health and safety matters. Each course is tailored to each organisation. In progress. Te Arawa Lakes Trust training took on a new look in 2023 following the discovery of Asian clams in the Waikato River. Stepped up training took place along with MPI Fisheries officers.
Developed for Greg Corbet - BOPRC, Paul Sheldon - TDC, William Anaru - TALT, Andrea Howard - ORC and Davor Bejakovich - GWRC.
TALT trainee engaging with fisheries inspectors acting as boaties for the role play. It quickly becomes real for all concerned! Rotorua, September 2023.
Te Arawa Lakes Trust team at a practical boat inspection exercise August 2020. A boat (craft) is deemed ‘a place’ under the Biosecurity Act
Otago Regional Council
February 2020 to September 2022
ORC operational readiness and support for implementing their new Regional Pest Management Plan. In all 52 separate projects and tasks were completed, covering: Operational Plan development, SOP written for compliance, Authorised Persons training for staff; rabbit inspections and facilitation plans, investigating site-led programmes and general policy and operational advice over a year and a half. Completed to client satisfaction - “Its been an absolute pleasure to work with you this year, your wisdom and advice has helped me personally and the team”. Andrea Howard, ORC
High Country Contracting Ltd
Pleasant Point, December 2016 to current
Providing biosecurity consulting advice and planning services to a key provider in the South Island's pest contracting industry, undertaking OSPRI TB management work, wilding pine control and Predator Free work - Dunedin area and Banks Peninsula. BBS Limited is actively involved in writing plans and documents to support HCC’s position as a lead supplier for many South Island pest control projects. Peter is a member on the HCC Advisory Board governance group.
Work done for Khan Adam, General Manager
Canterbury, Hawkes Bay, Southland, Otago and Greater Wellington regional councils and Tasman District Council
Six regions - 2017 to current (7 separate projects)
Contracted to provide hearing commissioner support and technical biosecurity advice for councils undertaking reviews of their Pest Management Plans. Subcontractor John Simmons has been chair of some hearings panels and participated as member for others. All RPMPs approved and operative. Peter Russell provided expert advice to combined Tasman/Nelson Pest Plan, operative as of April 2019.
Carried out for Divisional Managers or Biosecurity/Biodiversity Managers at each council
“
Thanks Peter. I really appreciate your help once again on this. Your ability to hit the ground running really helped us to keep to the deadlines.”
Waikato Regional Council and Horizons Regional Council
Hamilton-Palmerston North
Contracted (May to July 2016) to research and write a communications plan for raising awareness among King Country, Waipa and Hauraki/Coromandel landowners about the economic threats and recent spread of the pest plant tutsan into new areas that were previously free. Combined project with Horizons Regional Council, leading to changed behaviours.
Contracted also to write individual farms plans for Waikato dairy farmers with fodder beet crops infested with velvetleaf weed seeds, as part of the national response to seed contamination (April/May 2016). Redesigned and adapted the MPI advisory into a user friendly template and met and discussed issues with each farmer. Plans written and sent back to WRC on time.
Integrated Catchment Management Team
“
Many thanks, I have perused the velvetleaf plans, they look easy to read and simple to understand.”
Department of Conservation (Living Waters project)
Hamilton
Asked to co-ordinate and undertake one-to-one consultation with landowners in the Miranda area, regarding goat control densities and attitudes to control for catchment and biodiversity purposes. Visited each landowner in March 2016 and wrote report.
Project Manager/Director
“Great work. This has really helped us progress our thinking, not only for goat control but for wider pest management initiatives within the catchment.”
Biosecurity Working Group
via Northland Regional Council
Developed and wrote a ‘plain English’ standard operating procedures (SOP) Manual to assist Biosecurity Officers from regional councils throughout New Zealand with undertaking enforcement actions under Biosecurity Act provisions.
Part 1 completed and endorsed by the Group - November 2015. Part 2 commissioned and completed in July 2016. Endorsed by BioManagers Group, to be received by regional Chief Executives then published and made available.
Project Manager
“... thanks for your recent work on the Manual. What a grand piece of work ... this document is really going to set us up for the future. It also fits very well with improving national consistency and demonstrating regional leadership in biosecurity.
”
UNITEC Institute of Technology
Auckland
Invited in April 2016 and October 2015 to present to students on ecological risks and mitigation, associated with biosecurity activities.
It was a timely lecture and well aligned with the overall course, particularly on post-border biosecurity strategy and control measures. 2016 presentation focused on the velvetleaf incursion.
Referee
Dr. Diane Fraser (email)
Senior Lecturer. Natural Sciences
“Thanks so much for your biosecurity talk (2015). I couldn’t have asked for a better final lecture for the students following on from pre and border biosecurity strategies The post border strategies covered will be an excellent lead in to their biosecurity studies in the final year of their degree. I am extremely grateful.”
BioManagers Group
Taranaki
Researched/wrote good Neighbour Rules report on DOC liabilities for pest management on public conservation land, in relation to the National Policy Direction on Pest Management.
Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust
Cambridge, 2020 and prior plan 2015
Contracted to rewrite and update the original Biosecurity plan for all of the Trust’s operations in the pest-proof fenced sanctuary. Covered all biosecurity aspects, from pathways of pest spread to better managing pests that are currently impacting on ‘Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari’. Working with the Trust on a volunteer basis as Project Manager for Bush 2 Burbs project to link bird ‘spillover’ from the Maunga into Cambridge.
Received by the Natural Heritage Committee in August 2015 and the wider Trust.
Referee
Robyn Nightingale (email)
(testimonial provided in a private capacity as a Trustee)
“Kia ora tatou,
This was a logical, well written document, which made for easy, dare I say it, enjoyable reading. The change in approach to biosecurity to one focused on a pests and pest pathways approach was made very clear. If this is the plan that was requested under the MOU with Waikato Regional Council, then it has been achieved within the agreed timeframe and the efforts of Better Biosecurity Solutions Ltd are much appreciated.
Nga mihi”
Horizons Regional Council
Palmerston North
Contracted to write Horizon’s non-regulatory pest management strategy document, to support their reviewed and slimmed down, ‘rules only’ Regional Pest Management Plan.
Endorsed by Horizons Council in August 2015.
Referee
Bill Martyn (email)
Former Biosecurity/Biodiversity Manager
“The plan and strategy has been approved by Council. They seemed very happy with the work … all in all well received and a great relief for us. Thanks once again for all your help and we will promote your efforts as we road show the plan around the region.”
Auckland Council and Department of Conservation, Auckland
Assisted Auckland Council and the Department of Conservation to carry out consultation required as part of the operational planning for the 2015 Hunua pest control operation, by undertaking visits to landowners directly adjoining the Regional Park and DOC managed lands.
Over 40 landowners and managers were proactively engaged with about the overall programme and specific issues about the risks and benefits of 1080.
“Thanks for your efforts Peter, that’s great to have completed this work and good to have such positive feedback from landowners, well done.”
“Kia ora Peter, many thanks for your excellent work. Good luck with your new venture”