Beccy Ganley is a Principal Scientist at Plant & Food Research who has been involved in B3 since 2005, initially as a scientist, but also as a Theme Leader in 2019. More recently, Beccy has led Ngā Rakau Taketake, a government funded research platform, focused on saving Aotearoa’s iconic trees from kauri dieback and myrtle rust.

As we welcome the new structure, we would also like to take the time to farewell and thank Desi Ramoo, the B3 Director from 2022 to 2024, for his leadership and contributions over this time.

B3 would also like to introduce our new theme structure and leaders, highlighting the four themes of focus:

  • Theme 1: Understanding Risk
    Led by: John Kean (AgResearch)

Focus: Improved tools and methodologies for identifying hazards, assessing risk, predicting impacts and ascertaining where in the system mitigation measures are best targeted for intentional and unintentional introductions.

  • Theme 2: Pathway risk management
    Led by: Nicolas Meurisse (Scion)

Focus: Fit-for-purpose tools and methodologies for reducing risks along importation

pathways.

  • Theme 3: Readiness & response
    Led by Jessica Vereijssen (Plant & Food Research)

Focus: Tools and strategies for preparedness for and response to incursions of invasive plant pest species, including diagnostic methods and tools to enable informed biosecurity decisions.

  • Theme 4: Te ao Māori
    Led by Alby Marsh (Plant & Food Research)

Focus: This new structure will improve B3’s ability to deliver biosecurity science solutions in partnership with iwi, government, international collaborators and communities. The inclusion of our Te ao Māori Theme is part of B3’s continued commitment to a Tiriti-centred approach to biosecurity research.

Mahajabeen Padamsee will replace Darren Ward as the Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research Representative.

Independent Chair Mel Mark-Shadbolt says:

“We are delighted to have Beccy onboard. Not only is she a talented scientist in her own right but she is a strong, motivated, Tiriti-centred leader with lots of expertise and experience. The new structure she and Alby will co-lead brings our commitment to Te Tiriti to the fore and streamlines our structure to better align with the shifts we are seeing across the biosecurity system, and where we want to see B3 go in the future. We thank B3’s leaders past and present for their ongoing dedication to their research, teams and the organisation. The Collaboration Council remains committed to the kaupapa and the partnership.”

B3 farewells and thanks outgoing Theme Leaders, Barbara Barratt and Karen Armstrong, for their leadership and contributions. We would also like to thank and acknowledge Darren Ward for his leadership and support and the deputy Theme Leaders for their support and contributions to B3. Deputy Theme Leaders for the four Themes will be appointed early next year.