This project developed a food-web model to explore the potential ecosystem effects of changes to small and medium-sized pelagic fish (including jack mackerels, anchovy, pilchards, sprat, yelloweye mullet, blue mackerel, yellow-tailed scad/kōheru) in the Hauraki Gulf. We found that the response of the ecosystem to changes in the abundances of pelagic fishes depended strongly on the extent to which top predators (seabirds, whales/dolphins, fish) are flexible in their diets.

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen often associated with ready-to-eat foods (RTE) where the food is consumed without any further cooking. Management and control of Listeria during food manufacture is therefore a particular focus of the food industry. All producers of RTE products are required to demonstrate compliance to limits specified in the Food Standards code. However, some RTE foods are difficult to sample. This project examines alternative sampling methods that can be used.

New Zealand produces a range of ready-to-eat dried meat products where food safety often relies on a cook or fermentation step. However, some dried products use water activity, pH or added ingredients to ensure food safety. There is little documented proof to support validation of the food safety aspects of the drying process. This review determines if any existing models can be used to validate this process and provide guidance or a predictive model for the inactivation of pathogens of concern.

This is the sampling plan for the Food Residues Survey Programme from July 2022 to June 2023 for plant products. It covers selected foods that are available to the New Zealand consumers during that period.

Keywords: FRSP, food residues, plant foods, 2022-2023, sampling plan, food residues survey programme

Catch and effort data from 1 October 1989 to 30 September 2018 (1989–90 to 2017–18 fishing years) for blue cod (Parapercis colias) in stock area BCO 3 (east coast South Island of New Zealand) was summarised and an index of biomass using standardised catch per unit effort (CPUE) estimated. The standardised CPUE series was based on positive catch record data from Statistical Areas 024 and 026 because of few catch records from the cod potting fishing method from other statistical areas.