Airports and seaports must meet certain requirements to operate as approved places of first arrival (PoFA). Find out the requirements, what happens if you don't meet them, and how to manage approvals.
From 13 July to 5 September 2022, MPI would like your feedback on the proposed amendments to the MPI Standard: Places of First Arrival. The new requirements clarify existing requirements and allow ports and airports more flexibility in how they comply with requirements relevant to their PoFAs.
To receive offshore craft, vessels, and cargo, an airport or a seaport operator must be approved for a PoFA. There are 4 steps to follow.
These steps are covered in more detail on this web page or you can download our fact sheet.
Applying for PoFA approval – fact sheet [PDF, 313 KB]
If your airport or seaport wants to apply for PoFA approval, you must provide evidence to MPI that you meet other agency requirements. Those agencies are:
Before you lodge your application to MPI, you must arrange other licensing requirements such as:
Note: Although MPI consults with relevant government agencies under section 37 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 when processing PoFA applications, this does not include arranging these licensing requirements.
Section 37 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 – NZ Legislation
The PoFA operator must contact MPI and arrange for an inspector to:
Check these and other requirements you'll need to meet to operate a PoFA
The MPI inspector will countersign your PoFA application form acknowledging the PoFA is compliant and suitable for the proposed operations.
Find your local MPI office or inspector
To operate a place of first arrival, you must complete the application form.
Application for approval under section 37 as a PoFA [PDF, 586 KB]
Note: Approved PoFA operators can use the same form to vary an existing PoFA approval.
Email your signed application form and supporting documentation to standards@mpi.govt.nz
PoFA applications including variations take up to 8 weeks to process before an approval certificate is issued.
To receive MPI approval to operate a port (airport or seaport) as a PoFA, the port must meet specific requirements. These are outlined in the PoFA Standard.
All PoFAs require:
Depending on the craft and cargo type, PoFAs may need a quarantine area to unload bulk cargo. They may also need suitable facilities for particular uncleared risk goods, such as:
Full details are in the standard.
MPI Standard: Place of First Arrival [PDF, 490 KB]
PoFA operator delegates must complete a PoFA delegate operator training course which focuses on biosecurity responsibilities of operators, and their role in managing a PoFA, its facilities, arrangements, and approvals.
For information on locations and dates of training courses, email Learning.Development@mpi.govt.nz
If you have approved Transitional Facilities (TFs) within your PoFA, ensure training requirements of the TFs are met, including having an adequate number of trained accredited people.
Transitional facility operator training providers
Make sure staff are aware of biosecurity requirements. MPI's biosecurity presentations and other resources can be used to support training of staff and third-party operators.
We provide regular updates for operators and staff on pests and diseases, and facility requirements – including through our See, Contain, Report newsletter.
Approved PoFAs (and related facilities) may have to meet other MPI requirements, depending on the type of port and its activities.
Third parties (such as airline services or stevedores) may provide services that contribute to the PoFA meeting these requirements. MPI will recognise the third-party contribution if:
The PoFA operator is still responsible for all undertakings of the PoFA.
Find requirements for:
PoFA operators must keep an up-to-date operating manual that documents:
You must ensure that your operating manual details the management of specific risks and the operations of your port. Use one of our MPI templates to help prepare a PoFA operating manual that includes all the requirements.
Airport operating manual template [PDF, 244 KB]
Seaport operating manual template [DOC, 61 KB]
A BCA manual is required. It can be part of the operating manual. In some cases, MPI may ask a PoFA operator or a third-party to prepare a separate BCA manual. Your MPI inspector will provide more information, if required.
PoFAs may require additional facilities to support operations. These may be provided by the port company or by other organisations (under third-party arrangements). Additional facility arrangements must be listed in the operating manual, regardless of who provides it. PoFAs can't receive craft or cargo types that an additional facility handles if the other facility doesn't meet MPI requirements.
The PoFA operator is responsible for all undertakings of the PoFA, even if some areas are managed or have arrangements by another company. A PoFA may receive a non-conformance report or infringement from MPI if there is breach in biosecurity management of the facility arrangements.
| Seaport requirements | Airport requirements |
| Transitional facility for holding uncleared goods | Arrangements for holding uncleared goods (can be within the PoFA) |
| Biosecurity refuse facility | Biosecurity refuse facility |
| Decontamination facility for containers | Contingency arrangements to decontaminate highly contaminated air containers (can be within the PoFA) |
| Treatment facility | Treatment facility |
Note: MPI approves transitional and treatment facilities separately from PoFA approvals.
Transitional and containment facilities for border clearance
Treatment options and providers
Aircraft and vessels coming to New Zealand must arrive at a PoFA approved for the craft and cargo type. You could be fined if you allow arrivals at a port that:
MPI regularly assesses PoFA facilities, arrangements, and systems to make sure they are compliant. You will be contacted by your local MPI inspector when your PoFA is due for assessment. To prepare for an assessment:
After receiving your operating manual, the MPI inspector will arrange an assessment. During the assessment, MPI will:
If the assessment shows your PoFA doesn't comply, or parts of it don't comply (including third parties) the MPI inspector will ask you (and third parties) to fix the problems by a specified date.
Your PoFA approval may be changed, suspended, or revoked if MPI finds:
This may mean the craft or cargo types that don't comply may be removed from your certificate of approval.
PoFAs are assessed once a year. Non-compliant PoFAs may be assessed more frequently.
You can apply to MPI to change, re-establish, or cancel a PoFA approval by completing the form.
Application for approval under section 37 as a PoFA or application to vary existing PoFA approval [PDF, 586 KB]
Email the form and supporting documentation to standards@mpi.govt.nz
PoFA variation applications take up to 8 weeks to process.
Do not make any changes until you receive written approval from MPI.
You must apply for a variation of your PoFA approval to change:
To apply for a variation, you'll need to provide MPI with:
Do not make any changes until you receive written approval from MPI.
To change a BCA (including the operations, location, floor layout or plan), add, or remove a BCA you will need to send MPI:
Any new BCA or significant alterations to the structure or number of BCAs requires a new BCA agreement between MPI and the PoFA operator.
If your PoFA isn't operational within a year following approval, you'll need to re-establish approval.
Apply to re-establish approval by contacting your local MPI inspector for an assessment of the port.
If you want to cancel your PoFA approval, email your request to standards@mpi.govt.nz
If a PoFA isn't operational for 12 months, you can choose to suspend or cancel your approval.
PoFA operators will be charged for services provided by MPI and other service providers, including applications and assessments.
Find fees and charges for PoFA operators
Applications are fully cost recovered through the cost regulations.
Biosecurity (Costs) Regulations 2010
Check cost recovery for processing international travellers at airports for those applicants establishing or re-establishing a PoFA for airports.
Airports (Cost Recovery for Processing of International Travellers) Act 2014
If you have general questions regarding becoming a PoFA or managing your approvals, email standards@mpi.govt.nz
If you want to arrange a site visit, or review of your operating manual, PoFA operations, or responsibilities, contact your local MPI inspector.
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