Category: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Background to this consultation

This is the second consultation we have run on proposed measures to manage phytoplasmas on imported ornamental plants for planting. 

We have reviewed submissions received during the first consultation that closed on 12 March 2024.

Based on those submissions, we have now drafted an import health standard (IHS). An IHS is the legislative document that specifies the requirements for importing.

Find out about the first consultation and the submissions received

Have your say

We are seeking feedback on proposed changes to the Nursery Stock (155.02.06) IHS to manage the risk of phytoplasmas on imported ornamental plants for planting.

From 23 April to 14 May 2024, we invite comments on the draft IHS.

Draft Import Health Standard: Nursery Stock (155.02.06) [PDF, 7.3 MB] 

Related document

Submitters should also read the schedule cahnges – it outlines proposed changes to the schedules that 22 host genera currently fall under.

Schedule changes for ornamental hosts of phytoplasmas [PDF, 105 KB]

Making your submission

Email your feedback on the draft IHS and schedule by 5pm on 14 May 2024 to PlantImports@mpi.govt.nz

All submissions received by the closing date will be considered before the amended IHS is issued. MPI may hold late submissions on file for consideration when the issued IHS is next revised or reviewed.

Next steps

After we have considered all submissions, there is a 10-day period which provides submitters with the opportunity to examine any changes to the IHS which have resulted from consultation. An independent review (under section 24 of the Biosecurity Act 1993) may be requested in this period if a submitter considers scientific evidence they raised during their submission has not received sufficient consideration. If there is no review, the IHS becomes final after 10 days.

Find out more about the IHS review process

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety today issued new import rules for frozen berries to help keep New Zealanders safe and improve processes at the border.

In 2022-2023 there was an outbreak of hepatitis A virus associated with frozen berries, affecting 39 people.

“New Zealand was among a number of countries which recalled frozen berries at different times due to concerns about the presence of hepatitis A,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

“We’ve worked hard to the identify and implement ways to improve food safety rules to better manage the risk to consumers. As part of this we worked closely with major frozen berry importers, who have expressed strong support for the changes.

“New Zealand Food safety’s work to strengthen these requirements was acknowledged in a recent Office of the Auditor-General report into monitoring importers of high-risk foods as ‘robust and in line with international best practice’.”

In a first for New Zealand, the change introduce the use of independent certification to confirm an importer’s food safety systems meet New Zealand’s food safety standards.

“This gives us more confidence that risks associated with frozen berries are being managed off-shore before they come to New Zealand,” says Vincent Arbuckle.

The changes will come into effect on August 1 and importers have 18 months (until 31 January 2026) to transition to the new import requirements. We anticipate that importers will opt take up the system fairly quickly.

“Now that the outbreak is over, and affected products have been removed from the shelves, the risk to consumers has reduced. Hepatitis A virus in imported frozen berries, however, remains a potential risk. 

“If consumers have concerns or are part of a vulnerable population group, then they can heat-treat frozen berries to over 85^oC for at least 1 minute,” says Mr Arbuckle.

More about the rule changes is on the New Zealand Food Safety website here:

Requirements for Registered Food Importers and Imported Food for Sale [PDF, 440 KB]

Background for editors

Changes introduced include:

• Strengthening the imported food category of frozen berries from Increased Regulatory Interest food to High Regulatory Interest food.
• Clearly describing the products included or excluded from the application of the clearance requirements.
• Removing ineffective requirements for microbiological testing of frozen berries at the border, with more robust requirements in place for manufacturers prior to shipping. 
• Addition of specific provisions for the use of third-party certificates and their accompanying manufacturers’ declarations for clearance of imported frozen berry consignments.
• Specifying what assurances official certificates must provide and the need for them to be agreed between an exporting country’s competent authority and MPI.

For more information email: NZFoodSafety_media@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Fisheries New Zealand is inviting feedback on applications from iwi for temporary fishing closures across 3 separate areas within the Hauraki Gulf.

The proposed closures cover Waiheke Island, Umupuia Beach near the Duder Regional Park, and the coastline of Te Mātā and Waipatukahu and, if approved, would prohibit the take of some shellfish species from these areas for 2 years, says Emma Taylor, director fisheries management.

“We support traditional customary fisheries management such as rāhui and consider a range of views along with the best available science and information. This includes information we receive from tangata whenua and people who have valuable insights about what’s going on in their fisheries — it’s local knowledge from people who know their fishery well. “

The applicants, Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, and Ngāti Tamaterā are members of the Pou Rāhui Research Project, an initiative incorporating mātauranga Māori alongside modern scientific tools to restore identified marine taonga species within rāhui areas of their rohe. The project is aimed at developing iwi capability for assessing the need for rāhui and managing their implementation.

Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, and Ngāti Tamaterā, have expressed concern for the long-term sustainability of certain taonga species in their rohe moana.

“The removal of fishing pressure is an immediate way we can help these taonga species recover so they continue to provide for future generations,” says Ms Taylor.

Summary of proposed temporary closures:

• Waiheke Island: Prohibit the take of kūta (mussels), kōura (rock lobster), pāua, and beach cast tipa (scallops), the taking of other scallops is already prohibited.
• Umupuia Beach: Prohibit the take of tuangi (cockles).
• Te Mātā and Waipatukahu: Prohibit the take of tio (oysters), kūtai (mussels), pipi, and tuangi (cockles).

“We’d like to hear from anyone with an interest to understand the viewpoints and experiences of the people affected by the proposals. This information is considered alongside science and any other relevant facts to develop advice for the Minister who will make the final decision.”

Submissions can be made online by 5pm on 7 June 2024.

Proposed temporary fishery closures in the Hauraki Gulf

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Have your say

Fisheries New Zealand is seeking feedback on a request for 3 temporary fishery closures in the Hauraki Gulf. The request is for areas at:

• Waiheke Island
• Umupuia Beach
• Te Mātā and Waipatukahu

The request is from Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, and Ngāti Tamaterā. Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea support the request as part of the project ‘Pou rāhui, pou tikanga, pou oranga: reigniting the mauri of Tīkapa moana and Te Moananui-ā-Toi’. Please note that the East Coromandel request by Ngāti Hei has been withdrawn.

The temporary fishery closures have been requested under section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996.

The requests are for 2 years.

We invite written submissions from anyone who has an interest in the species concerned or in the effects of fishing in the areas concerned.

The closure request [PDF, 1.8 MB]

Species affected by the proposed closures

Area	Iwi	Prohibited species
Waiheke Island	Ngāti Pāoa	Kūta (mussels), kōura (rock lobster), pāua and tipa (beach cast scallops). The taking of other scallops is already prohibited under the Fisheries Act 1996.
Umupuia Beach	Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki	Tuangi (cockles)
Te Mātā and Waipatukahu	Ngāti Tamaterā	Tio (oysters), kūtai (mussels), pipi and tuangi (cockles)

Area boundaries of the proposed closures

Map of the proposed Waiheke Island temporary closure [PDF, 24 MB]

Map of the proposed Umupuia beach temporary closure [PDF, 1019 KB]

Map of the proposed Te Mātā and Waipatukahu temporary closure [PDF, 2.6 MB]

Related information

Section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996 allows the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries to temporarily close an area, or temporarily restrict or prohibit the use of any fishing method in respect of an area, if satisfied that the closure, restriction, or prohibition will recognise and provide for the use and management practices of tangata whenua in the exercise of non-commercial fishing rights.

Find out more about temporary closures

Making your submission

Submissions close at 5pm on Friday 7 June 2024.

State in your submission which area or areas you are commenting on.

Email your submission to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

While we prefer email, you can post your submission to:

Spatial Allocations
Fisheries Management
Fisheries New Zealand
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

Public notices

A public notice about the call for submissions is scheduled to appear in the:

• New Zealand Herald
• Waikato Times
• Hauraki Coromandel Post
• Gulf News
• Waiheke Weekender
• Mercury Bay Informer.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

The recreational pāua fishery along the Kaikōura coast opens today for a limited 2-month season.

“The fishery was closed for almost 5 years after the 2016 earthquake which caused significant uplift affecting the marine life and the coastal environment around Kaikōura and South Marlborough,” says Fisheries New Zealand principal analyst and Kaikōura resident Howard Reid.

“This is the third recreational season since the earthquake and, while it’s good to see the pāua fishery recovering from the severe impacts it faced, this limited season takes a precautionary approach to support its continued recovery.”

Options to reopen the fishery for a 2024 recreational fishing season were publicly consulted as part of Fisheries New Zealand’s regular sustainability review for the April fishing year.

Consultation: Review of sustainability measures for fisheries – April 2024 round

“We received feedback from across a range of interests, mostly in support of opening the fishery for 2 months,” says Howard Reid.

“We’ll be closely monitoring the fishery during the season and keeping in touch with iwi and the local community on what they’re seeing. This information will help us estimate the level of recreational take, and what adjustments might be needed for future seasons.

“The pāua has improved to a level that can sustain some fishing activity, however it’s important that people follow the rules and take only what they need for a feed so the fishery can continue to provide for future generations.”

The daily bag limit for the area is 3 pāua per species per person from Marfells Beach to the Conway River with a minimum size of 125mm for blackfoot pāua and 80mm for yellowfoot pāua. When gathering over multiple days, there is a maximum accumulation of 2 daily limits.

“There are some areas in the region that remain closed or have lower bag limits and different minimum sizes for pāua. These include a marine reserve, 2 mātaitai, and 2 taiāpure,” says Mr Reid.

“People should check the rules before they go out to make sure the area is open and that they know the applicable size and daily bag limits. Only those actually gathering can take a daily limit, as you cannot take for other people. Fishery officers will be patrolling the coast and checking people’s catch during the season to make sure the rules are being followed.”

The limited recreational pāua season will close on 21 June 2024.

The easiest way to keep up to date with the rules is to download the free NZ Fishing Rules App or speak to your local fishery officer.

NZ Fishing Rules mobile app

List of fisheries offices

Do your part to help protect our fisheries by reporting any suspicious fishing activity to 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24) or poacher@mpi.govt.nz

For more information email: FisheriesNZ_media@mpi.govt.nz

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Have your say

From 19 April 2024 to 16 July 2024, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites comment on a proposed new import health standard for importing zoo equids.

The import health standard (IHS) specifies the biosecurity requirements that must be met when importing these animals. The new IHS will replace an existing import health standard for the importation of zebras from Australia into New Zealand.

Full details of the proposed changes are in the consultation documents.

Consultation documents

Import Health Standard: Zoo Equids [PDF, 373 KB]

Guidance document: Zoo equids [PDF, 359 KB]

Risk management proposal: Zoo equids [PDF, 454 KB]

WTO notification

NZL767 – SPS Notification – Import Health Standard: Zoo Equids [PDF, 88 KB]

Related document

Import Health Standard: Zoo Zebra from Australia [PDF, 60 KB]

Making your submission

Email your feedback on the draft before 5pm on 16 July 2024 to animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz

Make sure you include in your submission:

• the title of the consultation document in the subject line of your email
• your name and title, if applicable
• your organisation’s name (if you’re submitting on behalf of an organisation)
• your contact details (for example, phone number, address, and email).

While we prefer email, you can send your submission by post to:

Manager Animal Imports
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand.

All submissions received by the closing date will be considered before the amended import health standard (IHS) is issued. MPI may hold late submissions on file for consideration when the issued IHS is next revised or reviewed.

Steps to finalising the new IHS

After consultation on a draft import health standard, MPI publishes a provisional IHS.

If you made a submission during the consultation, you have 10 working days to notify us that you intend to request an independent review. Reviews are limited to whether specific scientific evidence was given sufficient consideration.

If no review is requested within 10 working days, then the provisional IHS is confirmed and the final IHS is issued.

For more information about reviews, refer to Section 24 of the Biosecurity Act 1993

Legal background

MPI must consult with interested parties in accordance with section 23 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) and MPI’s consultation policy before issuing or amending (other than of minor or urgent nature) import health standards (IHS) under sections 24A and 24B of the Act.

An IHS specifies import requirements that must be met either in the country of origin or of export, or during transit, before biosecurity clearance can be given for the goods to enter New Zealand. MPI must ensure that these requirements are technically justified and provide an appropriate level of biosecurity protection.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

A North Otago pair have been ordered to do 360 hours community work, along with being placed on 12 months supervision for online sales of poached pāua.

Sheryl Maafu (49) and Niuila Maafu (59) were sentenced in the Oamaru District Court yesterday on a joint charge of illegally selling pāua under the Fisheries Act, following a successful prosecution by Fisheries New Zealand. Sheryl Maafu was ordered to do 200 hours community work while Niuila Maafu was ordered to do 160 hours community work. A 2019 Ford Ranger, a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe along with a range of diving gear was forfeited to the Crown.

The Maafus sold pāua meals through a Facebook site and obtained customary permits for fictitious birthday events to gather pāua.

“It’s illegal to sell recreationally caught seafood and the Maafus knew this. They also broke the trust of a tangata tiaki by gaining customary permits for various birthday events that never happened – yet they gathered and kept the pāua. When we find evidence of illegal fishing, we will hold people to account,” says Fisheries New Zealand district team leader, fisheries compliance, Ian Henderson.

In May 2023, a fishery officer became aware of a package being couriered from Oamaru that contained pāua. The package was intercepted and had about 12kgs of minced pāua. Fisheries New Zealand was also tipped off about an online site owned by Sheryl Maafu called ‘Always Kingdom Fundraiser’ which was advertising meals for sale including creamed pāua for $10 a meal.

A Fisheries investigation was launched with search warrants executed in June 2023 at 2 premises in Kakanui and Oamaru, and the bank accounts of Sheryl Maafu were also examined.

At the Kakanui building investigators found 139 shucked pāua of which 129 were less than the legal size. At the Oamaru building, they found 513 pāua shells and 442 of these shells were less than the legal size. In July 2023 fishery officers formally interviewed both defendants about poaching pāua.

“They admitted illegally selling recreationally gathered pāua through online Facebook sales which they were doing by either cash or bank deposits. Sheryl Maafu, who organised the customary authorisations told us she knew what she was doing.” Ian Henderson says.

In total, investigators found 621 ordinary black foot pāua shells. In 2023 this amount of pāua, based on the minimum shellfish size had a commercial retail value of $8,281.

Additionally, 22.65kgs of pāua that was seized from the Maafus held a commercial retail value of $3,827.

MPI encourages people to report suspected illegal activity through the ministry’s 0800 4 POACHER number (0800 47 62 24)

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Have your say

The Patuharakeke Te Iwi Trust Board, on behalf of the Patuharakeke hapū, has requested a further 2-year temporary closure to the harvest of all shellfish from Mair Bank and Marsden Bank, Marsden Point.

Fisheries New Zealand invites written submissions about the requested closure from people who have an interest in the species concerned or in the effects of fishing in the area concerned.

Section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996 allows the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries to temporarily close an area, or temporarily restrict or prohibit the use of any fishing method in an area.

Find out more about temporary closures

Documents for the proposed closure

Request for the temporary closure [PDF, 647 KB]

Appendices to the request

Appendix A – Patuharakeke annual pipi monitoring update 2023 results [PDF, 2 MB]

Appendix B – Preliminary Results of Dragonfly data on Marsden Bank pipi February 2024 [PDF, 133 KB]

Appendix C – Ngātiwai Trust Board letter of support [PDF, 195 KB]

Appendix C –  Te Rerenga Parāoa Rohe Moana tangata kaitiaki [PDF, 250 KB]

Coordinates and map of the proposed area

The proposed temporary closure covers all that area of New Zealand fisheries waters enclosed by a line:

• commencing at a point on the mean high-water mark at the base of the Marsden Point oil refinery jetty (at 35°50.24’S and 174°29.91’E); then
• proceeding in a north-easterly direction to a point at the seaward end of the Marsden Point oil refinery jetty (at 35°50.21’S and 174°29.95’E); then
• proceeding in a south-easterly direction to the Whangārei Harbour main channel port-hand buoy number 18 (at 35°50.32’S and 174°30.44’E); then
• proceeding in a south-easterly direction to the Whangārei Harbour main channel port-hand buoy number 16 (at 35°50.54’S and 174°30.94’E); then
• proceeding in a south-easterly direction to the Whangārei Harbour main channel port-hand buoy number 14 (at 35°50.76’S and 174°31.19’E); then
• proceeding in a south-westerly direction to a point offshore (at 35°50.86’S and 174°30.50’E); then
• proceeding due west to a point on the mean high-water mark (at 35°50.86’S and 174°29.65’E); then
• proceeding along the mean high-water mark in a generally north-easterly then north-westerly direction to the point of commencement.

Map of the proposed Mair Bank and Marsden Bank temporary closure [PDF, 691 KB]

Making your submission

Submissions close at 5pm on Monday 27 May 2024.

Email your submission to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

While we prefer email, you can post your submission to:

Fisheries Management – Spatial Planning and Allocations
Fisheries New Zealand
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

Public notices

A public notice about the call for submissions is scheduled to appear in the:

• Whangarei Leader (10 April 2024)
• Northern Advocate (10 April 2024)
• Bream Bay News (18 April 2024).

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is supporting Prolife Foods in its recall of specific batches of various Value Pack and Refill Pack products containing peanuts.

“The concern with these products is that they contain levels of aflatoxins above the allowable level in New Zealand,” says NZFS deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

The products affected by this recall are:

• Value Pack (VP) Nuts and Raisins (400g) with a Best Before: 29 SEP 2024
• Value Pack (VP) Roasted Salted Peanuts (400g) with a Best Before: 08 OCT 2024 and 15 OCT 2024
• Value Pack (VP) Roasted Salted Peanuts (750g) with a Best Before 08 OCT 2024
• Refill Pack brand Roasted Nut Mix (850g) with a Best Before: 05 MAR 2024
• Refill Pack brand Raw Nut Mix (850g) with a Best Before: 05 OCT 2024

“If you have bought any of these products, don’t consume them and return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

“Aflatoxins are naturally occurring in many food products and are produced by a group of moulds that grow on foods produced in hot and tropical climates.

“Levels of aflatoxin in the New Zealand diet are usually very low and don’t represent a health risk, however, consumption of food products with increased levels of aflatoxin over an extended period of time can be harmful.”

The affected products are sold at selected supermarkets throughout New Zealand.

Visit New Zealand Food Safety’s recall page for more information about batch details and photographs of the affected product.

Prolife Foods Value Pack and Refill Pack Products Containing Peanuts

“The recalled products are imported and, although they have undergone the necessary testing, they were released by the importer in error without confirming the results,” says Mr Arbuckle.

The products have been removed from stores. The affected products are not available overseas.

“As is our usual practice, NZFS will work with Prolife Foods to understand how the products were released and to prevent it happening again,” Mr Arbuckle said.

New Zealand Food Safety has not received any notifications of associated illness. 

If you have consumed any of this product and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 61 11 16 for free advice.

The vast majority of food sold in New Zealand is safe, but sometimes problems can occur.  Help keep yourself and your family safe by subscribing to our recall alerts. Information on how to subscribe is on the NZFS food recall page. 

NZFS food recall page

For more information, email NZFoodSafety_media@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand is reminding dog owners to make sure their pets are up to date with their flea and tick treatment, after the parasite Babesia gibsoni was detected in a dog in the Canterbury region.

“The parasite is often transmitted by ticks, so we are encouraging dog owners to make sure their dogs are up to date with their flea and tick treatment,” says Biosecurity New Zealand’s chief veterinary officer Dr Mary van Andel.

Babesia gibsoni is widespread around the rest of the world, including Australia, but this is the first case in a New Zealand-bred dog. It can cause the disease babesiosis, which is not present in New Zealand. Most dogs will only experience mild symptoms, if any, but the disease can be severe in some cases.

“Along with ticks, the parasite can also be spread through dog bites, blood transfusion and through the placenta from an infected mother to her pups. In countries where Babesia gibsoni is widespread, the focus is on preventing infection by treating dogs with tick treatments or combined with flea treatments, and limiting fighting behaviour.”

Dr van Andel says dog owners shouldn’t be alarmed.

“At this stage we are aware of just one case of Babesia gibsoni in New Zealand. We are working hard to determine whether this is an isolated case and where it came from.”

Overseas, the parasite is often found in a select group of dog breeds – pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers and greyhounds are the most commonly affected breeds.

Dogs without symptoms or that have recovered from infection often reach a balance where their immune system suppresses the parasite. However, this means they may still spread the parasite and may develop disease if they become immune compromised.

Biosecurity New Zealand is working closely with the owners of the infected dog to identify other dogs she had been in contact with so they can be tested. The affected dog was euthanised at its owners’ request due to it being extremely unwell.

“A second dog in the household has had blood taken for testing and early results are negative for the disease. Samples have also been taken from several dogs known to be close contacts of the infected dog and another playmate of the infected dog,” says Dr van Andel.

“We’re asking vets to help our investigation by contacting us if they have any suspected cases of Babesia gibsoni and have been in touch with registered doggy daycare operators to alert them to the case so they can keep an eye out for ticks and remain vigilant in preventing biting and fighting between dogs.”

If dog owners are concerned about their pets’ health, their first port of call should be their veterinarian.

Further information about Babesia gibsoni can be found on the MPI website.

Babesia gibsoni: a tick-borne parasite affecting dogs

For more information email BiosecurityNZ_media@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.