Biosecurity Week is kicking off next week with a public day at the Port of Tauranga in Mount Maunganui on Monday 21 November, 1 - 3pm. The event marks the start of Biosecurity Week (21 – 25 November) in the Bay of Plenty and coincides with the first overnight cruise ship stay for the season. This is also the start of the high-risk season for pests entering New Zealand. Particularly for residents that live adjacent to an international port, like those in Mount Maunganui, we ask that residents keep a watchful eye out for damaging pests such as the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and Red Imported Fire Ant. The public day will allow residents to learn about the impacts of invasive pests on us all. The MPI biosecurity beagle dog will also be on hand to demonstrate the fantastic work they do. Effective biosecurity awareness is critical to the Bay of Plenty region. A major biosecurity incursion puts at risk New Zealanders livelihoods, lifestyles and environment, as well as having major impacts on our orchards, forests and farms and the thousands of people they employ. The awareness week will also see a range of activities happening at the Port of Tauranga involving Port personnel, plus industry partner visits to transitional and post-harvest facilities, to provide biosecurity collateral and raise understanding amongst industry workers. Biosecurity Week is part of the biosecurity excellence partnership between Port of Tauranga, Ministry for Primary Industries, Kiwifruit Vine Health, NZ Avocado, Dairy NZ, Forestry Owners Association, NZ Customs and Bay of Plenty Regional Council. The partnership aims to build a port community committed to biosecurity excellence, which includes local residents as well as those working within the port.