Episode 1: What is bioprotection?

In our very first episode of Under the Lens, co-hosts Professor Amanda Black, Professor Peter Dearden and Dr Nick Waipara unpack what bioprotection means in Aotearoa New Zealand, why no ecosystem can be left unmanaged, and how science, Indigenous knowledge, and community experience all play a part.

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Episode highlights

• Why bioprotection matters

• How ecosystems resist and recover

• Why Aotearoa New Zealand’s landscapes need active management

• The complexity of biology

Episode description

In our very first episode of Under the Lens, co-hosts Professor Amanda Black, Professor Peter Dearden and Dr Nick Waipara discuss the complexities of bioprotection in Aotearoa New Zealand. They delve into the necessity of managing all ecosystems in Aotearoa New Zealand, the challenges of returning to a “natural state”, and the interconnectedness of bioprotection with agriculture, conservation, and community health.

The conversation highlights the goal of bioprotection to develop sustainable tools and practices that balance productivity with environmental conservation.

The discussion also touches on the importance of community involvement and the long and often challenging journey of scientific research, emphasising the need for innovation and collaboration to address environmental issues effectively.

Meet the Hosts

• Professor Amanda Black — Director, Bioprotection Aotearoa; soil scientist at Lincoln University.

• Professor Peter Dearden — Co-Director, Genomics Aotearoa; geneticist at the University of Otago.

• Dr Nick Waipara — Forest pathologist with Plant & Food Research Group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute, and a long-time collaborator with Te Tira Whakamātaki.

Glossary of key terms

• Bioprotection
  The science and practice of strengthening natural processes that help ecosystems resist, recover, and thrive.

• Biosecurity
  Measures aimed at preventing pests and pathogens from entering or spreading in Aotearoa New Zealand.

• Biodiversity
  The diversity of species, habitats, and genes that underpin healthy ecosystems.

• Resilience
  An ecosystem’s ability to bounce back after disturbance.

• Resistance
  An ecosystem’s ability to limit or prevent damage.

Further reading and show notes

Ecosystems and environmental reporting

• DOC Monitoring and Reporting System
  https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/monitoring-and-reporting-system/

• Ministry for the Environment
  https://environment.govt.nz/

Biosecurity and environmental protection

• Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)
  https://www.epa.govt.nz/

• Ministry for Primary Industries – Pest and Disease Threats
  https://www.mpi.govt.nz/biosecurity/pest-and-disease-threats-to-new-zealand

Water quality and land management

• LAWA – Water Quality
  https://www.lawa.org.nz/

• Environment Canterbury – Water Story
  https://www.ecan.govt.nz/your-region/plans-strategies-and-bylaws/what-we-know/water-story/plains-and-urban-areas

• NIWA – Riparian Buffer Design Guide
  https://niwa.co.nz/freshwater/freshwater-mitigation-systems/riparian-buffers/riparian-buffer-design-guide

Science and research

• Genomics Aotearoa
  https://www.genomics-aotearoa.org.nz/

• Bioprotection Aotearoa
  https://bioprotection.org.nz/

Community Science Tools

• iNaturalist NZ (Mātaki Taiao)
  A community-driven biodiversity platform where anyone can record species observations and contribute to nationwide ecological knowledge.
  https://inaturalist.nz/

About Under the Lens

Under the Lens is a conversation series that examines the challenges and opportunities facing Aotearoa New Zealand’s natural and productive environments. Each episode brings together researchers, Indigenous knowledge holders, and people working on the ground to explore how ecosystems respond to pressure, recover, and build resilience.

Created by Bioprotection Aotearoa, a national Centre of Research Excellence, the series offers clear, grounded conversations that help people understand what keeps ecosystems healthy and why it matters. We connect research to everyday life and highlight the practical insights, questions, and experiences shaping environmental decision-making.

Our voice

Warm. Curious. Grounded.
We welcome tough questions, speak in plain language, and focus on real people and real impacts. Our conversations bridge perspectives and explore how knowledge, experience, and action come together to support resilience across Aotearoa.

Where this episode fits

This conversation is part of our pilot series of podcasts, exploring core concepts before we dive into episodes on gene technologies, weeds and invasives, kauri dieback, and case studies across Aotearoa.

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