The morning session simulated the activation of the New Zealand national security system including a Watch Group meeting*. Watch Group is a group of senior officials from across relevant agencies who convene to discuss the situation and coordinate the response. The afternoon session was a workshop-style session to help inform and improve New Zealand’s readiness for BMSB. The exercise was developed in partnership with GIA Signatories Pipfruit NZ and Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH). Other prospective GIA partners were also involved in exercise planning. 

The exercise proved to be a good challenge for the participants as well as a great opportunity to raise awareness about this serious pest threat. The meeting highlighted the importance of the GIA partnership for a successful biosecurity response. The afternoon session encouraged in depth discussion on options to improve response planning and readiness for BMSB. The exercise evaluation process and debrief is currently underway. In combination, these activities will highlight where further readiness work may be required and enable GIA partners to improve exercise planning in the future.

*GIA said it was important to note that any decision to activate the national security system is made on a case-by-case basis and a 'real life' detection of a breeding population of BMSB is not an automatic activation trigger.