A New Zealand-developed platform helping protect iconic Kauri trees has been recognised internationally for its use of geospatial technology.

Kete Aronui, a data system that helps protect New Zealand’s iconic Kauri trees from the deadly pathogen Phytophthora agathidicida (PA), received a Special Achievement in GIS Award in the Environment and Natural Resources category at a conference in San Diego on 13 July 2026.

The platform is delivered by Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) on behalf of the Tiakina Kauri Management Agency within Biosecurity New Zealand.

The award recognises Kete Aronui as a benchmark for partnership-driven design, data security and operational innovation, with secure shared workflows that support monitoring, knowledge-sharing and decision-making across agencies and mana whenua.

“This recognises years of collaboration,” said Michael Green, Principal Geospatial Specialist at LINZ and Program Lead.

Partnership-driven approach

LINZ began supporting Tiakina Kauri and the Kauri Programme in late 2022, with Kete Aronui officially launching in November 2024.

Since its launch, the platform has evolved and now delivers a broad range of tools and services that support Kauri protection efforts, including surveillance, risk mapping, soil sampling, and other critical activities.

“Receiving the Special Achievement in GIS Award is a significant acknowledgement of the innovation, technical expertise, and commitment demonstrated by the team,” said Green.

“The award also recognises the strong partnership-driven approach that has underpinned the platform’s development, with Tiakina Kauri and the wider Kauri community playing a vital role in shaping its success.”

Innovation and data-driven insights

Kauri are a taonga (treasure) of Aotearoa New Zealand and the third largest conifer in the world.

A National PA Pest Management Plan (NPMP) came into effect in August 2022 and is the strongest form of protection available under the Biosecurity Act 1993 to help protect Kauri from PA.

“A key objective of the NPMP involves building knowledge of our Kauri population distribution and PA pathogen spread,” said Mike Hogg, Tiakina Kauri Manager.

“Kete Aronui enables consistent and high-quality collection, management and visualisation of Kauri data so we can manage PA at a national level and improve protection decisions. It enables Tiakina Kauri’s value of Mahi Tahi (working collaboratively) with our partners, where Kauri is at the centre of everything we do.”

Graeme Henderson, CEO of Eagle Technology, the company that nominated LINZ and Kete Aronui for the award, said the award highlights the powerful impact of geospatial technology in addressing critical real world environmental challenges.

“This successful collaboration between LINZ, MPI, and their partner agencies demonstrates how innovation and data-driven insights can support the protection of Aotearoa New Zealand’s natural taonga,” he said.

“We are delighted to see this important work acknowledged on the global stage.”