Indigenous biosecurity: Māori responses to kauri dieback and myrtle rust in Aotearoa New Zealand

It is widely acknowledged that Indigenous peoples have traditional knowledge relevant to modern environmental management. By asserting roles within associated science and policy networks, such Indigenous Knowledge (IK) can be seen as part of the resistance to colonisation that includes protest, treaty making, political and economic empowerment, legislation, cultural renaissance and regulatory influence. In New Zealand, these achievements inform attempts by Māori (the Indigenous people of New Zealand) to manage forest ecosystems and cultural keystone species. This chapter presents two case studies of how indigenous participation in modern biosecurity through the example of Māori asserting and contributing to forest management. While progress is often frustratingly slow for indigenous participants, significant gains in acceptance of Māori cultural frameworks have been achieved

Scale and complexity implications of making New Zealand predator-free by 2050

The goal to make New Zealand predator-free by 2050 has drawn strong praise and criticism, but these critiques have focused largely on economic or technological feasibility of long-term large-scale eradication. We suggest that achieving this goal is not a simple ‘scaling-up’ of current eradication efforts, but requires enduring co-ordination and integration of research, management and societal elements if a predator-free goal is to become a reality. Here we ask what are the key impediments to eradicating invasive species on a national scale? We highlight four interlinked issues that must be addressed to accomplish a predator-free New Zealand: (1) improved ecological understanding of interactive effects; (2) refinement and development of operational methods; (3) overcoming social and bioethical challenges; and (4) improving governance and partnerships with Māori. Understanding the linkages among these issues can also provide new insights into the biology and ecology of invasions, development of improved eradication methods, and social support or involvement in large-scale conservation management. Addressing these challenges will ultimately improve policy and management of biological invaders and set new international precedents