KVH was a proud supporter of the recent Bay of Plenty Young Fruit Grower competition which was held in conjunction with the Te Puke A&P show.

KVH provided a biosecurity quiz to the eight competitors – congratulations to Melissa van den Heuvel from NZ Avocado for winning the quiz and for achieving overall winner for Bay of Plenty Young Fruit Grower of the Year.

Below is the quiz put to the competitors, who delighted us with their biosecurity knowledge (the top score was an impressive 89%). How does your biosecurity knowledge compare? Test yourself before checking the answers at the end of this page. Good luck!

1. What is the name of the Ministry responsible for New Zealand biosecurity?

2. Within the Ministry, what branch is responsible for border biosecurity in New Zealand?

3. KVH and NZ Avocado are both GIA signatories. What does GIA stand for and what is it about?

4. Name three activities that a grower can do on-orchard to reduce the impact or spread of a future biosecurity incursion?

5. What is the name of the organism that caused an ongoing response in Auckland in 2019? You get an extra point for naming the specific organism.

6. Name two biosecurity threats to kiwifruit or avocados that are not present in New Zealand, excluding fruit flies and the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB).

7. TMBC is a biosecurity initiative using collaboration to increase biosecurity excellence in the Bay of Plenty. What does TMBC stand for?

8. Name three major pathways in which BMSB can enter New Zealand?

9. What is the high-risk season for BMSB? Why?

10. What should you do if you observe plants with unusual symptoms or see an organism that may be a new invasive pest on your orchard? Extra point for knowing the number to call.

11. What are two ways that a new pest or disease could be introduced into an orchard?

12. Name the biological control approved for use in a BMSB incursion in New Zealand?

13. Many consider biosecurity as a single line of defence. However, the New Zealand biosecurity system is made up of several layers. There are three of them – can you name them all?

14. What type of organism is Xylella fastidiosa?

Find the answers here.