The art of a 12 year-old Mount Maunganui Intermediate School student is helping raise awareness of a major biosecurity threat in the Bay of Plenty.

Local schoolchildren were recently challenged by Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital to research and then create artwork to tell the story about the impact of myrtle rust – especially on pōhutukawa.  

Myrtle rust – which has a website dedicated to it at: https://myrtlerust.org.nz – is a serious plant pathogen that impacts New Zealand native species such as pōhutukawa, mānuka, kānuka, rātā, swamp maire and ramarama, plus exotic plant species such as feijoa, guava and eucalyptus.

In recent years the unwanted organism has spread in New Zealand – now Kiwis are asked to help slow the spread to protect our taonga species and help to track its movement.

“Taking care of our planet is certainly an intergenerational effort – and TMBC is working hard to educate people of all ages to engage with the protection of our flora and fauna,” says TMBC co-chair Beccy Ganley.

 “The Protectors of Papatūānuku Creative Challenge is one way that TMBC helps ignite interest and passion in our local community.”

Submissions were put up for public votes and winners could win from a $2000 prize pool, with the ultimate prize including the opportunity to showcase the artwork on a series of digital billboards throughout the rohe.

Beccy says biosecurity is an important concept for all of Kiwis to understand. “Protecting our flora and fauna from predators, diseases and pathogens is something we can all play a part in.

“This challenge is particularly timely as myrtle rust could decimate our beloved pōhutukawa – a tree that plays a role in our environment’s stability and is culturally significant not only to tangata whenua but to all New Zealanders.”

Out of dozens of entries, the overall compeition winner is Stella Bardsley, who was inspired to create her artowrk by Aotearoa’s natural beauty, culture, unique flora, and animals.

“My grandmother always had baby lambs on her farm in spring and bottle-feeding them is one of my best memories,” says Stella. “My favourite tree is the pōhutukawa. It’s a great climbing tree with bright red flowers representing our Christmas.”