Why New Zealand needs an effective biosecurity system
Biosecurity is about keeping out, getting rid of, or managing pests and diseases that threaten New Zealand. It helps protect our:
- primary sector industries
- native plants and animals
- land, rivers, and oceans
- culture, health, and lifestyles.
New Zealand’s biosecurity system comprises many parts to manage risks offshore, at the border, and within New Zealand. Those parts include people, tools, technology, processes, and rules.
While New Zealand’s system is working well, biosecurity threats are growing in scale and complexity. Risk pathways (the ways new and unwanted pests and diseases can get here), along with climate, are changing. There is increasing pressure from both new and established pests and diseases.
A shared view on the future of New Zealand’s biosecurity and a way to identify agreed priorities was needed. The new shared action plan will help people and organisations across the biosecurity system work together more effectively.
Biosecurity system action plan [PDF, 50 KB]
How the 'Biosecurity system action plan' was created
To build this plan, Biosecurity New Zealand looked at former strategies, including the 2003 strategy ('Tiakina Aotearoa – Protect New Zealand') and the 2016 strategy ('Biosecurity 2025'), and identified what worked and what didn't.
Biosecurity New Zealand also talked to many people, including:
- representatives from local, regional, and central government
- Māori biosecurity experts
- primary industry leaders
- environmental groups, scientists and researchers, and non-governmental agencies
- young people.
We used this to create a short and focused plan with clear goals and priority actions.
The aim is to deliver timely system improvements where they are needed most and make the best use of existing resources.
Delivering the action plan
The 'Biosecurity system action plan' is a shared commitment to strengthen New Zealand’s biosecurity system. To make it a reality, people and organisations will need to work together, sharing their skills, time and resources.
How you can get involved
Many organisations have already said they want to help deliver actions. Now we want to confirm that interest and invite others to join.
If you’d like to get involved, complete this short questionnaire by 22 August 2025 to tell us:
- which actions interest you
- the role you want to play
- any related work that could help deliver an action.
Biosecurity system action plan questionnaire – SurveyMonkey
Want more details?
Check the call to action document [PDF, 1012 KB]
Email us at biosecurityactionplan@mpi.govt.nz
