21956 (2025). Hon Jo Luxton to the Minister for Biosecurity

21956 (2025). Hon Jo Luxton to the Minister for Biosecurity: How is, if at all, Government ensuring Māori are decision-makers in national exotic Caulerpa response efforts?

Hon Andrew Hoggard: Biosecurity New Zealand has partnered with tangata whenua throughout the exotic caulerpa response both locally and at a national level. Māori have participated on advisory groups for treatment options, long term strategies and management approaches. At a national scale, tangata whenua from Aotea, Waiheke, Bay of Islands and Kawau are members of the Exotic Caulerpa National Advisory Group (ECNAG) along with representatives from other groups such as regional councils and commercial fishers. At a local scale, tangata whenua lead operational partners in teams that are established to manage new detection responses. In many locations iwi or hapū are leading their own response programmes with support, where possible and appropriate, from Biosecurity New Zealand.