A representative for Ngatiwai, Dane Karapu, believes the Tai Tokerau iwi has paved the way for other tribes to be called upon by Government if future biosecurity threats arise.
Photo: RNZ
Mr Karapu is an iwi resource management assistant and attended a workshop with the Ministry for Primary Industries National Biosecurity Response unit last week.
He's being trained as an operational manager in the unit after the iwi raised concerns it wasn't involved enough in recent fruit fly scares in Whangarei.
Mr Karapu said it had started a process where cultural engagement would be looked into further.
He said should another biosecurity risk arise, such as the fruit fly discoveries, iwi consultation in any area should take place with more engagement.
