Want to play a vital role in helping protect New Zealand from invasions by unwanted pests?

Monday will be your chance with the Biosecurity Week Public Day at the Port of Tauranga on Monday.

Starting at 1pm, the event is part of Biosecurity Week, which runs from November 21 to 25, and coincides with the first overnight cruise ship stay for the season.

This is also the start of the high-risk season for pests entering New Zealand.

People are invited to the Port of Tauranga Gates, in Salisbury Ave, between 1pm and 3pm where there will be competitions, giveaways and games, plus a biosecurity beagle dog demonstration.

The event is also a chance to learn about your local port and chat to biosecurity experts.

Kiwifruit Vine Health chief executive Barry O'Neil says this event and the week is all about getting the biosecurity message out there, and local residents have an important role to play.

'Particularly for residents who live adjacent to an international port, like those in Mount Maunganui, we ask that residents keep a watchful eye out for damaging pests such as the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and Red Imported Fire Ant.

'We are looking forward to talking to the public about this important issue, as well as reinforcing the message within partner's industries.”

Effective biosecurity awareness is critical to the Bay of Plenty region.

A major biosecurity incursion puts at risk New Zealanders livelihoods, lifestyles and environment, as well as having major impacts on our orchards, forests and farms and the thousands of people they employ.

Port of Tauranga commercial manager Leonard Sampson says the week will provide a good opportunity to strengthen the significance of biosecurity within the community.

'The public day will allow residents to learn about the impacts of invasive pests on us all. The MPI biosecurity beagle dog will also be on hand to demonstrate the fantastic work they do.

'The awareness week will also see a range of activities happening at the Port of Tauranga involving port personnel, plus industry partner visits to transitional and post-harvest facilities, to provide biosecurity collateral and raise understanding amongst industry workers.”

Biosecurity Week is part of the biosecurity excellence partnership between Port of Tauranga, Ministry for Primary Industries, Kiwifruit Vine Health, NZ Avocado, Dairy NZ, Forestry Owners Association, NZ Customs and Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

The partnership aims to build a port community committed to biosecurity excellence, which includes local residents as well as those working within the port.