60 acast.com Under the Lens https://bioprotection.org.nz/under-the-lens-podcast/ en Bioprotection Aotearoa Science, Environment, Climate change, Conservation, Biodiversity, Ecosystem health, Indigenous knowledge, Aotearoa, Pacific, Community Bioprotection Aotearoa Science that talks back What happens when you put science, community, and real-world challenges under the lens? You get science that talks back.


Under the Lens explores the stories behind the research shaping Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific. We look at the places we live in, the people connected to them, and the knowledge that helps ecosystems stay healthy and resilient.


Co-hosted by Professor Amanda Black, Professor Peter Dearden and Dr Nick Waipara, each episode blends lived experience with research to spark clarity, curiosity, and sometimes the tough questions we need to ask. From soil microbes to forest futures, we explore how science and people work together to protect the places and communities we care about.


Created by Bioprotection Aotearoa, a national Centre of Research Excellence, the series offers clear, grounded conversations that connect research to everyday life. We welcome diverse perspectives, speak in plain language, and shine a light on the practical insights and decisions that shape environmental futures.


Subscribe and join us as we put today’s pressing issues under the lens.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> What happens when you put science, community, and real-world challenges under the lens? You get science that talks back.


Under the Lens explores the stories behind the research shaping Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific. We look at the places we live in, the people connected to them, and the knowledge that helps ecosystems stay healthy and resilient.


Co-hosted by Professor Amanda Black, Professor Peter Dearden and Dr Nick Waipara, each episode blends lived experience with research to spark clarity, curiosity, and sometimes the tough questions we need to ask. From soil microbes to forest futures, we explore how science and people work together to protect the places and communities we care about.


Created by Bioprotection Aotearoa, a national Centre of Research Excellence, the series offers clear, grounded conversations that connect research to everyday life. We welcome diverse perspectives, speak in plain language, and shine a light on the practical insights and decisions that shape environmental futures.


Subscribe and join us as we put today’s pressing issues under the lens.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> false Bioprotection Aotearoa info+68ba667045004e42c9a47015@mg-eu.acast.com 68ba667045004e42c9a47015 under-the-lens episodic https://assets.pippa.io/shows/68ba667045004e42c9a47015/1757048222097-640bb3b4-132c-4641-b5a3-b8c39d671c70.jpeg https://bioprotection.org.nz/under-the-lens-podcast/ Under the Lens Reimagining Biosecurity: Who is the system actually for? Reimagining Biosecurity: Who is the system actually for? Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT 56:46 6a71a73b2031aa1a282fe144 false https://shows.acast.com/under-the-lens/episodes/reimagining-biosecurity-who-is-the-system-actually-for 6a71a73b2031aa1a282fe144 68ba667045004e42c9a47015 reimagining-biosecurity-who-is-the-system-actually-for full 2 8 Biosecurity is often thought of as systems and agencies. But communities, people, and places are also doing the long term work, often with little resourcing and even less say in how it gets done.

 

In this episode Dr Sylvia Nissen, political scientist and human geographer at Lincoln University, joins Amanda and Peter to explore what role communities actually play in biosecurity responses, where the system falls short, and what a more community embedded approach might look like.

 

If we are talking shared responsibility, is there shared resourcing?


Follow us:



00:00 Reimagining Biosecurity

00:51 Podcast Welcome

01:29 Meet Dr Sylvia Nissen

02:35 System Today vs Ideal

04:01 Communities in Response

06:44 Defining Community Publics

08:27 Command and Control Limits

13:07 Resourcing and Burnout

17:21 Biosecurity System Overview

19:12 Trade Driven Origins

26:52 Conservation Gets Sidelined

29:44 Patchwork Policy Problems

30:19 Community Conservation Disconnect

32:02 Funding That Lasts

33:34 Motivation and Authority

35:14 Crisis Response Lessons

38:50 Handover Gaps and Boundaries

41:59 Rebuilding Trust Spaces

45:59 Real Time Information Networks

52:14 Community Embedded Biosecurity

54:47 Reimagining the System

56:05 Closing Thanks and Wrap

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Biosecurity is often thought of as systems and agencies. But communities, people, and places are also doing the long term work, often with little resourcing and even less say in how it gets done.

 

In this episode Dr Sylvia Nissen, political scientist and human geographer at Lincoln University, joins Amanda and Peter to explore what role communities actually play in biosecurity responses, where the system falls short, and what a more community embedded approach might look like.

 

If we are talking shared responsibility, is there shared resourcing?


Follow us:



00:00 Reimagining Biosecurity

00:51 Podcast Welcome

01:29 Meet Dr Sylvia Nissen

02:35 System Today vs Ideal

04:01 Communities in Response

06:44 Defining Community Publics

08:27 Command and Control Limits

13:07 Resourcing and Burnout

17:21 Biosecurity System Overview

19:12 Trade Driven Origins

26:52 Conservation Gets Sidelined

29:44 Patchwork Policy Problems

30:19 Community Conservation Disconnect

32:02 Funding That Lasts

33:34 Motivation and Authority

35:14 Crisis Response Lessons

38:50 Handover Gaps and Boundaries

41:59 Rebuilding Trust Spaces

45:59 Real Time Information Networks

52:14 Community Embedded Biosecurity

54:47 Reimagining the System

56:05 Closing Thanks and Wrap

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Reimagining Biosecurity: One ring to rule them all Reimagining Biosecurity: One ring to rule them all Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT 1:03:06 6a4f2747f8a80edf85167928 false https://shows.acast.com/under-the-lens/episodes/reimagining-biosecurity-one-ring-to-rule-them-all 6a4f2747f8a80edf85167928 68ba667045004e42c9a47015 reimagining-biosecurity-one-ring-to-rule-them-all A life in biosecurity full 2 7 Season two of Under the Lens is here, and we are starting somewhere unexpected. Fellow co-hosts Amanda and Peter turn the lens on Nick Waipara, drawing on his 25 years in biosecurity to ask what a reimagined system would actually look like.

 

From the kauri dieback story and the community networks that first raised the alarm, to the gaps in our science system and the feast and famine of community funding, Nick is candid about where the system falls short and hopeful about where it is heading.

 

If you see something unusual out there in the environment, tell someone. Your observations could make the difference between a successful biosecurity response and an unsuccessful one. iNaturalist is a great place to start.


Follow us:

 

Chapters:

00:00 Magic Wand Biosecurity

00:37 Season Two Kickoff

03:09 Sticks Versus Carrots

05:50 Research Ready Response

07:46 Trust Networks First

08:42 Kauri Dieback Alarm

14:19 Embedding Communities

17:52 Nick Origin Story

22:04 Reactive Funding Gaps

27:11 Skills Succession Crisis

30:24 Local Knowledge Wins

33:08 Vanishing Experts

34:41 Science Must Be Public

38:19 Communication Skills Shift

41:37 Building Community Trust

42:26 How Councils Manage Pests

44:51 Research Behind Policy Fights

51:46 Biosecurity Action Plan Future

56:06 International Links Local Weeds

59:27 Final Advice Report Sightings

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Season two of Under the Lens is here, and we are starting somewhere unexpected. Fellow co-hosts Amanda and Peter turn the lens on Nick Waipara, drawing on his 25 years in biosecurity to ask what a reimagined system would actually look like.

 

From the kauri dieback story and the community networks that first raised the alarm, to the gaps in our science system and the feast and famine of community funding, Nick is candid about where the system falls short and hopeful about where it is heading.

 

If you see something unusual out there in the environment, tell someone. Your observations could make the difference between a successful biosecurity response and an unsuccessful one. iNaturalist is a great place to start.


Follow us:

 

Chapters:

00:00 Magic Wand Biosecurity

00:37 Season Two Kickoff

03:09 Sticks Versus Carrots

05:50 Research Ready Response

07:46 Trust Networks First

08:42 Kauri Dieback Alarm

14:19 Embedding Communities

17:52 Nick Origin Story

22:04 Reactive Funding Gaps

27:11 Skills Succession Crisis

30:24 Local Knowledge Wins

33:08 Vanishing Experts

34:41 Science Must Be Public

38:19 Communication Skills Shift

41:37 Building Community Trust

42:26 How Councils Manage Pests

44:51 Research Behind Policy Fights

51:46 Biosecurity Action Plan Future

56:06 International Links Local Weeds

59:27 Final Advice Report Sightings

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Can we go there? Your feedback, your questions and what’s coming next Can we go there? Your feedback, your questions and what’s coming next Tue, 30 Jun 2026 02:29:14 GMT 39:38 6a4329fd5a160c9d6480dda2 false https://shows.acast.com/under-the-lens/episodes/can-we-go-there 6a4329fd5a160c9d6480dda2 68ba667045004e42c9a47015 can-we-go-there Your feedback, your questions and what’s coming next full 2 6 Your feedback, your questions and what’s coming next.


Season one sparked more conversation than we expected. In this episode your three co-hosts Amanda, Peter, and Nick work through the feedback, comments, and questions that came in after season one, covering weeds, kauri dieback, and genetic modification. The GM debate generated the most heat, and what came out of it was bigger than the technology itself, a conversation about ownership, oversight, food security, and food sovereignty, brought into sharp focus by COVID and a recent fuel crisis. We also celebrate a remarkable community effort, a 14,000 tree kauri refuge being established at Taieri Beach as a seed bank while science works toward a solution for kauri dieback.

 

The episode closes with a preview of season two, which turns the lens on the biosecurity system itself.


Follow us:



Chapters:

 

00:00 Welcome Back

00:26 Season One Feedback

01:32 Weeds Episode Praise

02:19 Hay Fever and Pine Trees

05:26 The GM Debate Reactions

06:51 Can We Go There

08:06 GM Hype vs Reality

09:55 Food, GM and Imports

15:06 Fuel Crisis and Food Security

16:31 A Tool, Not a Category

18:55 Ownership and Sovereignty

20:52 A Food Security Wake Up Call

22:10 GMO Power and Oversight

22:52 Hybrid Seeds Explained

24:04 The Canterbury Seed Economy

25:02 Capitalism and Our Food System

26:16 Beetroot and Identity

28:09 A Kauri Refuge Forest

32:20 Weed Funding and Biocontrol

36:31 Agapanthus and Prevention

37:19 Season Two Tease

39:07 Thanks and Sign Off

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Your feedback, your questions and what’s coming next.


Season one sparked more conversation than we expected. In this episode your three co-hosts Amanda, Peter, and Nick work through the feedback, comments, and questions that came in after season one, covering weeds, kauri dieback, and genetic modification. The GM debate generated the most heat, and what came out of it was bigger than the technology itself, a conversation about ownership, oversight, food security, and food sovereignty, brought into sharp focus by COVID and a recent fuel crisis. We also celebrate a remarkable community effort, a 14,000 tree kauri refuge being established at Taieri Beach as a seed bank while science works toward a solution for kauri dieback.

 

The episode closes with a preview of season two, which turns the lens on the biosecurity system itself.


Follow us:



Chapters:

 

00:00 Welcome Back

00:26 Season One Feedback

01:32 Weeds Episode Praise

02:19 Hay Fever and Pine Trees

05:26 The GM Debate Reactions

06:51 Can We Go There

08:06 GM Hype vs Reality

09:55 Food, GM and Imports

15:06 Fuel Crisis and Food Security

16:31 A Tool, Not a Category

18:55 Ownership and Sovereignty

20:52 A Food Security Wake Up Call

22:10 GMO Power and Oversight

22:52 Hybrid Seeds Explained

24:04 The Canterbury Seed Economy

25:02 Capitalism and Our Food System

26:16 Beetroot and Identity

28:09 A Kauri Refuge Forest

32:20 Weed Funding and Biocontrol

36:31 Agapanthus and Prevention

37:19 Season Two Tease

39:07 Thanks and Sign Off

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Under the Lens: Weeds Hidden in Plain Sight Under the Lens: Weeds Hidden in Plain Sight Fri, 05 Dec 2025 04:19:35 GMT 50:36 69325d574a0500b7573d791d false https://shows.acast.com/under-the-lens/episodes/under-the-lens-weeds-hidden-in-plain-sight 69325d574a0500b7573d791d 68ba667045004e42c9a47015 under-the-lens-weeds-hidden-in-plain-sight How everyday plants become ecological threats full 1 5 Weeds are everywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand. They creep along roadsides, smother forest edges, clog waterways and hydrodams, and quietly take over harbour hillsides. Most of us just see green.


In this conversation, Professor Margaret Stanley, recently recognised as Science Communicator of the Year, helps us see what is really going on in that green backdrop. She explains what makes a plant a weed, why only a small fraction of introduced species become invasive, and how new weeds continue to “jump the fence” from gardens, forestry, horticulture and houseplants.


We look at problem species like banana passionfruit, ragwort, agapanthus, climbing asparagus, aquatic weeds and more. Margaret talks through the tools we currently have, from herbicides and hand-pulling to biocontrol agents like beetles and rust fungi, and why each tool has limits.


The episode also explores how climate change will shift weed ranges, why aquatic weeds are so hard to manage, and how nursery choices, urban planting and cultural values shape the plants around us. Above all, it highlights the role of communities in early detection and prevention through tools like iNaturalist, local council programmes and on-the-ground volunteer mahi.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Weeds are everywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand. They creep along roadsides, smother forest edges, clog waterways and hydrodams, and quietly take over harbour hillsides. Most of us just see green.


In this conversation, Professor Margaret Stanley, recently recognised as Science Communicator of the Year, helps us see what is really going on in that green backdrop. She explains what makes a plant a weed, why only a small fraction of introduced species become invasive, and how new weeds continue to “jump the fence” from gardens, forestry, horticulture and houseplants.


We look at problem species like banana passionfruit, ragwort, agapanthus, climbing asparagus, aquatic weeds and more. Margaret talks through the tools we currently have, from herbicides and hand-pulling to biocontrol agents like beetles and rust fungi, and why each tool has limits.


The episode also explores how climate change will shift weed ranges, why aquatic weeds are so hard to manage, and how nursery choices, urban planting and cultural values shape the plants around us. Above all, it highlights the role of communities in early detection and prevention through tools like iNaturalist, local council programmes and on-the-ground volunteer mahi.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Under the Lens: The Great Genetic Modification Debate in Aotearoa New Zealand Under the Lens: The Great Genetic Modification Debate in Aotearoa New Zealand Thu, 04 Dec 2025 07:56:12 GMT 51:47 69313e9c28f17a7d070d3397 false https://shows.acast.com/under-the-lens/episodes/under-the-lens-the-great-genetic-modification-debate 69313e9c28f17a7d070d3397 68ba667045004e42c9a47015 under-the-lens-the-great-genetic-modification-debate What gene editing means for our future full 1 4 Genetic modification has shaped public debate in Aotearoa New Zealand for more than 25 years, influencing how we think about risk, responsibility and the future of our environment. This episode unpacks what genes and DNA actually are, how gene editing and genetic modification work, and why these tools have become so central to conversations about pests, diseases and climate change.


Our hosts revisit the early 2000s Royal Commission on Genetic Modification, the surge of public concern that followed, and how the science has advanced in the decades since. They explore the differences between gene editing, transgenesis and synthetic biology, the benefits and limitations of each, and the global momentum that is pushing these technologies forward. The kōrero also explains how forensics, medicine, agriculture and pest control already rely on genetic tools, often in ways most people never see.


We also look at the ethical, cultural and regulatory questions that guide how Aotearoa New Zealand uses these technologies, including who takes the risk, who benefits and how Māori and communities are involved in decision making. The episode highlights both the promise of genetic tools and the responsibilities that come with them as the country enters a pivotal moment in shaping its future with the Gene Technology Bill.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Genetic modification has shaped public debate in Aotearoa New Zealand for more than 25 years, influencing how we think about risk, responsibility and the future of our environment. This episode unpacks what genes and DNA actually are, how gene editing and genetic modification work, and why these tools have become so central to conversations about pests, diseases and climate change.


Our hosts revisit the early 2000s Royal Commission on Genetic Modification, the surge of public concern that followed, and how the science has advanced in the decades since. They explore the differences between gene editing, transgenesis and synthetic biology, the benefits and limitations of each, and the global momentum that is pushing these technologies forward. The kōrero also explains how forensics, medicine, agriculture and pest control already rely on genetic tools, often in ways most people never see.


We also look at the ethical, cultural and regulatory questions that guide how Aotearoa New Zealand uses these technologies, including who takes the risk, who benefits and how Māori and communities are involved in decision making. The episode highlights both the promise of genetic tools and the responsibilities that come with them as the country enters a pivotal moment in shaping its future with the Gene Technology Bill.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Under the Lens: Kauri Dieback, Where Biodiversity Intersects with Biosecurity Under the Lens: Kauri Dieback, Where Biodiversity Intersects with Biosecurity Tue, 02 Dec 2025 04:51:02 GMT 1:00:05 692e7036fcd33ebbab99120e false https://shows.acast.com/under-the-lens/episodes/under-the-lens-kauri-dieback 692e7036fcd33ebbab99120e 68ba667045004e42c9a47015 under-the-lens-kauri-dieback full 1 3 Kauri dieback, caused by the pathogen Phytophthora agathidicida, has reshaped how Aotearoa New Zealand understands risk, responsibility, and care for the natural world. This episode unpacks the biology of the pathogen, the cultural significance of kauri, and the long journey from confusion to coordinated response.

Our hosts revisit the early days when dead and dying kauri began raising alarms, the rapid surge in concern from communities, and the urgent scramble to understand a pathogen unlike anything researchers had dealt with before. They explore how soil, water, animals, and people move the disease, why early management had to adapt quickly, and how molecular tools reshaped what we know about this organism.


We also look at the important contributions of iwi, community groups, scientists, landowners, and volunteers who stepped into leadership roles during a time of uncertainty. The episode highlights both the complexity of the challenge and the resilience of those determined to keep kauri standing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Kauri dieback, caused by the pathogen Phytophthora agathidicida, has reshaped how Aotearoa New Zealand understands risk, responsibility, and care for the natural world. This episode unpacks the biology of the pathogen, the cultural significance of kauri, and the long journey from confusion to coordinated response.

Our hosts revisit the early days when dead and dying kauri began raising alarms, the rapid surge in concern from communities, and the urgent scramble to understand a pathogen unlike anything researchers had dealt with before. They explore how soil, water, animals, and people move the disease, why early management had to adapt quickly, and how molecular tools reshaped what we know about this organism.


We also look at the important contributions of iwi, community groups, scientists, landowners, and volunteers who stepped into leadership roles during a time of uncertainty. The episode highlights both the complexity of the challenge and the resilience of those determined to keep kauri standing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Under the Lens: Three Bios, One Outbreak: Lessons from PSA Under the Lens: Three Bios, One Outbreak: Lessons from PSA Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:18:51 GMT 49:16 6923c5a153b254a538e3a5dc false https://shows.acast.com/under-the-lens/episodes/under-the-lens-three-bios-one-outbreak-lessons-from-psa 6923c5a153b254a538e3a5dc 68ba667045004e42c9a47015 under-the-lens-three-bios-one-outbreak-lessons-from-psa full 1 2 The PSA outbreak changed the trajectory of Aotearoa New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry and revealed just how tightly our “three bios” are linked. In this episode, we revisit one of the country’s most significant biological events to unpack how biosecurity, biodiversity, and bioprotection collide in real time.


Using PSA as our lens, we trace the story from the first signs of incursion through to industry-wide impact, rapid scientific response, community collaboration, and the innovations that helped growers rebuild. Along the way, the team also touches on recent hornet scares and what they reveal about how quickly biological threats can escalate.


This episode shows that the three bios are not policy terms, but interconnected systems that shape the health of our landscapes, the resilience of our industries, and the futures of the communities that depend on them.


Revisiting PSA is not just looking back at a crisis. It is understanding a blueprint for how Aotearoa New Zealand can learn, adapt, and strengthen resilience as new threats emerge.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The PSA outbreak changed the trajectory of Aotearoa New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry and revealed just how tightly our “three bios” are linked. In this episode, we revisit one of the country’s most significant biological events to unpack how biosecurity, biodiversity, and bioprotection collide in real time.


Using PSA as our lens, we trace the story from the first signs of incursion through to industry-wide impact, rapid scientific response, community collaboration, and the innovations that helped growers rebuild. Along the way, the team also touches on recent hornet scares and what they reveal about how quickly biological threats can escalate.


This episode shows that the three bios are not policy terms, but interconnected systems that shape the health of our landscapes, the resilience of our industries, and the futures of the communities that depend on them.


Revisiting PSA is not just looking back at a crisis. It is understanding a blueprint for how Aotearoa New Zealand can learn, adapt, and strengthen resilience as new threats emerge.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Under the Lens: The Intricacies of Bioprotection in Aotearoa New Zealand Under the Lens: The Intricacies of Bioprotection in Aotearoa New Zealand Fri, 21 Nov 2025 05:57:27 GMT 42:25 691ffee9d8c4f044ff20c06c false https://shows.acast.com/under-the-lens/episodes/under-the-lens-the-intricacies-of-bioprotection-in-aotearoa 691ffee9d8c4f044ff20c06c 68ba667045004e42c9a47015 under-the-lens-the-intricacies-of-bioprotection-in-aotearoa full 1 1 In our very first episode of 'Under the Lens', co-hosts Professor Amanda Black, Professor Peter Dearden and Dr Nick Waipara discuss the complexities of bioprotection in Aotearoa New Zealand. They delve into the necessity of managing all ecosystems in Aotearoa New Zealand, the challenges of returning to a 'natural state', and the interconnectedness of bioprotection with agriculture, conservation, and community health.


The conversation highlights the goal of bioprotection to develop sustainable tools and practices that balance productivity with environmental conservation.


The discussion also touches on the importance of community involvement and the long and often challenging journey of scientific research, emphasising the need for innovation and collaboration to address environmental issues effectively.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In our very first episode of 'Under the Lens', co-hosts Professor Amanda Black, Professor Peter Dearden and Dr Nick Waipara discuss the complexities of bioprotection in Aotearoa New Zealand. They delve into the necessity of managing all ecosystems in Aotearoa New Zealand, the challenges of returning to a 'natural state', and the interconnectedness of bioprotection with agriculture, conservation, and community health.


The conversation highlights the goal of bioprotection to develop sustainable tools and practices that balance productivity with environmental conservation.


The discussion also touches on the importance of community involvement and the long and often challenging journey of scientific research, emphasising the need for innovation and collaboration to address environmental issues effectively.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]>