Melanie Mark-Shadbolt and James Ataria are members of Te Tira Whakamātaki, the Māori Biosecurity Network – a network of Māori scientists (plant pathologists, soil chemists, biosecurity officers, indigenous sociologists), policy makers, politicians, kaitiaki, iwi leaders and whānau who are dedicated to ensuring Māori have a voice and are able to participate in New Zealand's biosecurity.