It's people who will save New Zealand from unwanted aliens and all 4.7 million Kiwi have a role to play in keeping them out – that was the message at today's launch of the initiative Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital.

Major biosecurity breaches have the potential to irreversibly change New Zealanders' way of life, but only around two percent of the population recognise that threat, John Walsh, deputy director of general strategy performance and engagement with the Ministry for Primary Industries told the seminar.

'Around 96 per cent of New Zealanders get that biosecurity is important but when those surveyed were pressed for more specific details it revealed most did not think that if biosecurity went wrong in would have a big impact on their lives,” he says.

In fact, invasions of unwanted pests and diseases have the potential to affect every aspect of Kiwi life from gardening, to food, to primary production, to industry, to employment, to the natural environment, which is why the campaign Ko Tatou This Is Us has been launched.

The campaign, which includes a television commercial designed to build an emotional connection among the public with the things they value, is augmented by social media blogs, newspaper and radio advertisements and a website. All designed to raise awareness of biosecurity.

'We invite everyone to use the brand Ko Tatou This Is Us and come on board with the campaign,” he says.

Opened by Minister for Biosecurity Damien O'Connor, the one-day event was attended by 80 community, bushiness, industry, government and local government representatives with an involvement or interest in biosecurity.

The Minister says biosecurity depends on the actions of every New Zealander and he congratulated TMBC for its initiative.

'This is a day for discussion and debate among people who have a passion for biosecurity with views from different aspects. Please provide feedback to government as we are prepared to listen as always.

TMBC coalition is one of the lead initiatives for the government's Ko Tatou This Is Us campaign.

Carlton Bidios, co-chair of Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital (TMBC) says tangatuwhenua have much to lose from biosecurity breaches in both economic and social aspects.

The Maori primary industry economy is worth at least $40 billion but the cultural impact could be far greater, he says. 'For example we whakapapa to the kauri, they are our family.”

Carlton says Maori have much to lose if the disease kauri die back kills the giant trees. It has not yet arrived in this region and the Bay of Plenty may become the saviour for the ancient trees, but only if everyone works to protect them.

Speakers during the morning outlines the impacts of invasive species already here and those which threaten to arrive including the brown marmorated stink bug which has the potential to impact on horticulture and home gardens. It is also known to invade homes.

The aims of TMBC are to grow biosecurity awareness and social licence, including running joint campaigns.

It aims to advocate for better biosecurity for the region and be a catalyst for action. Enabling collaboration to achieve better results, sharing information and lessons, and taking opportunities to grow the regional team committed to biosecurity excellence, are also aims.