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:
- economy
- native plants and animals, our taonga species
- 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, forward-looking view of New Zealand’s biosecurity system was needed to guide priorities for improvement and use existing resources to their fullest potential.
The new shared action plan will help people and organisations across the biosecurity system work together more effectively.
Biosecurity system action plan [PDF, 350 KB]
How the Biosecurity system action plan was created
The action plan was developed with broad input from across the system, including government, Māori, industry and business, researchers, non-government organisations, and communities.
It draws on, and replaces, 2 previous biosecurity system strategies which have now expired. Development began with a review of these earlier strategies – identifying what worked well, what didn’t, and where progress had been made – so the action plan could build on existing thinking, successes, and achievements.
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. It will be owned by those who commit to leading and helping deliver actions.
It will be delivered in 2 tranches with significant progress expected by 2030. Tranche 1 actions are the immediate priority and will be the initial focus of coordination. Tranche 2 actions remain important and can start now, but coordination will be lighter until Tranche 1 is well underway.
Actions for tranche 1:
- 1 – Setting biosecurity system expectations and KPIs.
- 2 – Clarifying and enabling roles and responsibilities.
- 3 – Data integration, management and use.
- 4 – Managing aquatic pest and disease risk.
- 5 – Establishing a domestic emerging risk network.
- 7 – Widely accessible training tools.
- 9 – Developing prioritisation tools.
- 15 – Strengthening connections between science and local knowledge.
Actions for tranche 2:
- 6 – Building on successful local and regional initiatives.
- 8 – Building on importer, exporter and grower initiatives.
- 10 – Understanding social and cultural impacts.
- 11 – Developing a long-term investment plan for infrastructure.
- 12 – Simplifying industry biosecurity levies.
- 13 – Effective uptake of new and emerging technologies.
- 14 – Addressing major biosecurity challenges.
- 16 – Expanding control tools.
Want more details?
Our 'call to action' document has more information on the intent behind each of the actions.
Call to action document [PDF, 517 KB]
Recent developments
In February 2026, the Steering Group held 2 online introductory sessions. These 75-minute sessions outlined the plan and how people can work together to deliver it.
Watch a recording of the first session
If you weren't able to attend, you can watch a recording.
Introductory session 1: 20 February 2026 – Zoom
Use the password: NX3wy..i
Presentation slides
First introductory session presentation slides [PDF, 2.1 MB]
In March, the steering group held online workshops for 7 of the Tranche 1 actions. These 3-hour workshops were designed for people and organisations who see delivery of an action as part of their core business – and who want to actively shape how that delivery will work.
The workshops focused on:
- building a shared understanding of the action
- agreeing high-level delivery approaches
- identifying action leads and key contributors
- connecting existing projects and initiatives.
Next steps
Work is now underway to consolidate and share workshop outputs and move into the next phase of delivery.
The steering group will also:
- develop a light-touch structure and reporting model to help keep delivery aligned
- invite a small group of interested individuals to initial working group meetings.
These steps will help refine delivery approaches, clarify roles, and maintain momentum.
How you can get involved
If you are interested in being involved or want to receive updates on progress, keep an eye on this web page or email us at biosecurityactionplan@mpi.govt.nz
