Last month KVH and the Punchbowl team met with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to host a diverse and enthusiastic group from Hawaii, who were in the country learn more about both the New Zealand and kiwifruit industry biosecurity systems.

The group included plant quarantine team experts, agricultural, environmental and sustainability leaders, economic and cultural members and educational and community experts, all with the purpose of gaining insights on how to build a world class biosecurity system.

Hawaii's economy depends on its export of tropical plants and products, such as coffee, pineapples and papaya, with 2023 export revenue topping $600 million worth of goods and supporting nearly 205,000 jobs across the state. With 87% of businesses involved being medium and small businesses, there was strong recognition of the need to keep biosecurity threats out to protect horticultural and agricultural communities.

The Psa story was shared, with reflections on how quickly impacts were felt across local communities and how rapidly industry responded to the incursion, including via development of a cost-sharing model with Government. The group were keen to understand the whole industry approach of the Psa-V National Pest Management Plan and the ongoing evolution to our current Pathway Management Plan which supports the broader biosecurity lens industry now holds.

The group heard how New Zealand primary sector industries now ensure connectivity when building readiness and response plans, as part of the Government Industry Agreement for Biosecurity Readiness and Response (GIA).

KVH also highlighted how kiwifruit research projects on Ceratocystis fimbriata intersect with Hawaii’s own biosecurity challenge which has caused widespread death of 'ōhi'a lehua in Hawaii. Coffee rust, and foot and mouth disease were among the other risks of concern foremost in the visitor’s minds.

KVH would like to thank Punchbowl for hosting this opportunity, which also included a short pack-house visit, orchard walk, and a superb home-baked New Zealand morning tea (which was very well received!).