I sat in on a policy workshop with Auckland Council as one of the Biosecurity challenges, discussing concerns the community had raised about how they would like to be included in biosecurity management for kauri dieback. 

You may have heard the phrase, "Nothing about us, without us"...

Decision makers understand they cannot make decisions or policies that affect others, without first involving and consulting those affected. This creates better understanding of the greater picture (you don't know what you don't know!) and provides more acceptance around change.

When everyone is involved, they feel part of the same journey.

This journey concerns the need to give our forests a chance to regenerate, heal and reduce the spread of diseases. However, no one wants to feel locked out of the forest, it's where we go to play, cycle, walk, and just be in nature.

I scribed the discussion around potentially “living with the disease approach”, recognising community connections to the forest and how council messaging may need to change.

As we start to read emails on how we'll "circle back" to things in the New Year, I've been reflecting on the Biosecurity visual above.

Like the forest tracks that have been well-loved over the course of the year, we too need that time off to regenerate and rewild.

This year I'm taking a month off to slow down, reflect and allow new seedlings of ideas to flourish. I hope you can relax, regenerate and have some fun.

Wishing you all the very best for the festive season.

See you in 2024!

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