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Accredited persons
Facilities receiving containers must have one or more trained, accredited person available to check containers. Accredited persons are responsible for inspecting containers, supervising their unpacking and containing any biosecurity risks. Find out how to get appointed as an accredited person.
Facility operators and accredited persons
Facilities receiving containers must have:
- an MPI-approved facility operator
- at least one trained, accredited person (AP).
The facility operator is the person who will have overall responsibility for the facility.
Find out how to get approval to become a facility operator
Facilities receiving containers (air freight and all sea containers) must also have enough accredited persons (APs) available to check containers and goods. Accredited persons are responsible for inspecting containers, supervising their unpacking and containing any biosecurity risks found.
Airports and accredited persons
Airports receiving air containers conveying international baggage must have trained accredited persons actively supervising the unloading of baggage from air containers.
The airport or airline service provider may choose to have an MPI -approved facility operator.
Become an accredited person
We've created a step-by-step process for getting appointed as an accredited person.
Follow the steps
Expand all
Step 1: Find out the requirements
Review the relevant standard
Accredited person responsibilities and requirements are outlined in the relevant container standard and the Biosecurity Act.
Download the container standard for sea containers [PDF, 320 KB]
Download the container standard for air containers [PDF, 503 KB]
Biosecurity Act 1993 – NZ Legislation website
You must complete an approved course
To become an accredited person you must complete and pass an MPI-approved training course. More details are in Step 2: Complete training.
Proof of right to work in New Zealand for non-New Zealand citizens
If you're not a New Zealand citizen, you must show us your foreign passport with a valid New Zealand visa which allows you to work.
All visa options to work are on the Immigration New Zealand website. Non-New Zealand citizen applicants should check that their visas (including any conditions) will allow them to do this work. MPI may use passport details to check your right to work, using the Visa Verification Service.
Length of appointment
You will not be appointed for a term that exceeds the expiry date of your work visa.
Get advice from MPI
Find out about getting appointed as an accredited person or training requirements, by contacting the national facility approvals team.
- Email seacontainer@mpi.govt.nz
You can also get advice from your local biosecurity inspector.
Step 2: Complete training
You must complete and pass an MPI-approved accredited person course. The courses outline what to do when checking a container for biosecurity risks and MPI reporting requirements.
For information on locations and dates of training courses contact one of the approved training providers.
Step 3: Prepare documentation
After training, complete an Application for appointment as an accredited person.
- Application for appointment as an accredited person [DOCX, 91 KB]
Required documentation
Include in your application for appointment a:
- copy of your certificate of training
- coloured copy of your photo identification (such as a current driver's licence or passport).
Email your completed documentation to seacontainer@mpi.govt.nz
What happens next?
Only completed applications can be processed. The approval can take up to 10 working days to process.
If you don't provide everything we need, we'll decline your application and tell you why. You'll need to re-submit the entire application.
Who to contact
If you have questions about accredited persons:
- All of the South Island: bcsops@mpi.govt.nz
- Central North Island (includes Wellington, Napier, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, and Gisborne): Wellington.QITF@mpi.govt.nz
- Northern North Island (includes Auckland, Tauranga, and Northland): seacontainer@mpi.govt.nz
