Abstract
New Zealand's approach to marine biosecurity has been to integrate the pre‐border, border, and post‐border management actions so as to appropriately and effectively utilise resources. Prevention is clearly better than cure, consequently pre‐border and border management is paramount. There is, however, recognition that quarantine style controls result in leaky borders. Early detection of new invaders, coupled with appropriate incursion response protocols and tools, increases the likelihood that a response will: (1) be effective; and (2) cause less collateral damage. Rapid response plans for predefined, high‐risk species allow an adaptive and targeted approach. The selected species are also the object of targeted surveillance in high incursion risk points of first entry into the New Zealand coastal environment.