Research Publications

25 July 2022

Is provenance or phylogeny a better predictor of growth and survival of a soil pathogen in leaf litter?

Exotic plants have the potential to increase pathogen inoculum that can affect native plants. New Zealand’s iconic kauri tree (Agathis australis) is threatened by disease caused by Phytophthora agathidicida, which is…
Submissions

30 June 2022

National Adaptation Plan (NAP): Submission for consultation

The Ministry for the Environment consulted on a draft national plan to help Aotearoa New Zealand adapt to and minimise the harmful impacts of climate change. Professor Anita Wreford prepared…
Annual Reports

13 June 2022

Annual Report 2021

Download now > This Annual Report for 2021, is the first chapter of our story which conveys our purpose and direction.  Bioprotection Aotearoa is a National Centre of Research Excellence…
Research Publications

27 May 2022

Effector loss drives adaptation of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae biovar 3 to Actinidia arguta

Clonally propagated monoculture crop plants facilitate the emergence and spread of new diseases. Plant pathogens cause disease by the secretion of effectors that function by repressing the host defense response….
In the Media

18 May 2022

Bringing the tūī back to town – how native birds are returning to NZ’s restored urban forests

Postdoctoral Fellow Elizabeth Elliot Noe has always followed The Conversation.  Feeling brave, Elizabeth decided to pitch a story idea to them.  She submitted a 900-word article about planting more native…
In the Media

11 May 2022

Conservation genomics in practice

Director for Bioprotection Aotearoa, Professor Amanda Black was interviewed recently by Nature.  Amanda discusses how Māori deeply care for the environment and biodiversity of Aotearoa New Zealand, as this is…
In the Media

11 May 2022

How Māori stepped in to save a towering tree crucial to their identity.

The New York Times talks to our very own Dr. Nick Waipara and other Māori researchers about Māori led interventions to save kauri from kauri dieback.  Nick discusses the competitive…
Research Publications

29 April 2022

A network perspective for sustainable agroecosystems

Highlights Nature-based management uses biodiversity and targeted biotic introductions to improve sustainable agroecosystem production, but results have been variable. A network perspective can drive research to improve the future design…
In the Media

29 April 2022

Genome: Science of Life exhibition to launch

This radio interview features Professor Peter Dearden, a Deputy Director for Bioprotection Aotearoa.  Peter is also the director of Genomics Aotearoa and discusses with Wallace Chapman from RNZ the launch…
In the Media

27 April 2022

Familiar reforms part of new Government plan to adapt to a hotter world

This article features comments from Professor Anita Wreford, a researcher for Bioprotection Aotearoa, who welcomes public consultation following the release of the draft National Adaptation Plan.   Anita comments on…
Research Publications

1 April 2022

Sentinel Plants for Aotearoa’s unique viral ecosystems

This summer studentship research outlines a method for the identification of sentinel plants for Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique virus ecosystems. Eighteen species of candidate sentinel plants were identified through searching…
Research Publications

14 March 2022

A mobile restriction–modification system provides phage defence and resolves an epigenetic conflict with an antagonistic endonuclease

Epigenetic DNA methylation plays an important role in bacteria by influencing gene expression and allowing discrimination between self-DNA and intruders such as phages and plasmids. Restriction–modification (RM) systems use a…