National biosecurity emerging leader award for NRC manager

 

A promising pest management career that has included extensive work to help turn the tide on Northland’s dwindling kiwi populations has been recognised with a national award.

Kane McElrea, the Northland Regional Council’s Biosecurity Manager Partnerships and Strategy, edged out two other finalists from Land Information New Zealand and AgResearch to clinch the ‘emerging leader’ award at the recent New Zealand Biosecurity Awards in Auckland.

The awards recognise and celebrate outstanding contributions to the nation’s biosecurity. McElrea says he enjoys his role and being able to support and work with Northland communities to protect and improve the region’s shared environment. “In a relatively short time we’re already beginning to realise the benefits of those communities’ hard work,” he says.

“We’re seeing more kiwi and other native wildlife starting to become more abundant in places where people are working collectively hard to restore and protect the environment.”

McElrea was described at the awards as an ‘outstanding’ person who over the past 10 years had used a farming background and formal environmental education to forge sustainable community and iwi-led biosecurity programmes, particularly to help protect Northland’s kiwi.

Council chair Penny Smart says in his current role, the 31-year-old leads major pest management programmes, demonstrating great leadership skills at a relatively young age. “Kane is also able to realise the potential of others around him in an engaging and positive way and these leadership qualities transfer to his ability to work successfully with Northland’s often diverse communities against common biosecurity foes.”

Smart says biosecurity is an integral part of the regional council’s work and it’s great to see staff recognised for their efforts on behalf of their fellow Northlanders. Meanwhile, Smart – who lives in Kaipara – has also offered congratulations to Te Roroa Commercial Development Company, which was also recognised at the biosecurity awards for its Kauri Dieback Response Plan.

Northland Regional Council biosecurity manager Kane McElrea, winner of the ‘AsureQuality Emerging Leader Award’ at the recent New Zealand Biosecurity Awards. PHOTO/SUPPLIED