COVID-19 testing information
Information about COVID-19 testing, including PCR tests, is not on this website. Go to the 'Unite against COVID-19' government website for information about international travel and PCR tests.
International travel – Unite Against COVID-19
COVID-19 testing – Unite Against COVID-19
What our fees cover
MPI calculates fees on a cost-recovery basis. We will charge you the costs associated with testing your sample. You may also be charged extra fees for:
- packaging and handling for subcontracted tests
- transport for subcontracted tests
- laboratory equipment
- after hours work.
Not all the fees on this page may apply to you and there could be other charges not listed here – like transport, storage, treatment or other laboratory costs.
The Plant Health and Environment Laboratory (PHEL) doesn’t charge for general surveillance testing (testing for a suspected exotic pest or disease in New Zealand) of samples from the general public, growers, or the scientific community.
Bacterial
| Test type | First sample | Additional sample | ||
| (excl GST) | (incl GST) | (excl GST) | (incl GST) | |
| Diagnosis of bacterial diseases | $565 | $649.75 | $565 | $649.75 |
| Screening for bacterial diseases (negative results) | $65 | $74.75 | $65 | $74.75 |
| Seed wash test | $60 | $69 | $25 | $28.75 |
| Selective plating | $55 | $63.25 | $25 | $28.75 |
| Biochemical testing (such as Biolog, staining) | $80 | $92 | $80 | $92 |
| PCR – nucleic acid extraction | $105 | $120.75 | $50 | $57.50 |
| PCR – test | $50 | $57.50 | $15 | $17.25 |
| Sequencing (direct) | $100 | $115 | $80 | $92 |
| Sequencing (cloned product) | $390 | $448.50 | $265 | $304.75 |
Fungal
| Test type | First sample | Additional sample | ||
| (excl GST) | (incl GST) | (excl GST) | (incl GST) | |
| Diagnosis of fungal diseases | $370 | $425.50 | $370 | $425.50 |
| Screening for fungal diseases (negative results) | $65 | $74.75 | $65 | $74.75 |
| Seed wash test (inc. microscopic examination) | $235 | $270.25 | $170 | $195.50 |
| Ganoderma testing | $200 | $230 | $200 | $230 |
| Seed plate test | $435 | $500.25 | $350 | $402.50 |
| Selective plating | $50 | $57.50 | $25 | $28.75 |
| Selective plating – morphological identification | $70 | $80.50 | $70 | $80.50 |
| PCR – nucleic acid extraction | $105 | $120.75 | $50 | $57.50 |
| PCR – test | $50 | $57.50 | $15 | $17.25 |
| Sequencing (direct) | $100 | $115 | $80 | $92 |
| Sequencing (cloned product) | $390 | $448.50 | $265 | $304.75 |
Invertebrate
| Test type | First sample | Additional sample | ||
| (excl GST) | (incl GST) | (excl GST) | (incl GST) | |
| Identification of 1 invertebrate | $125 | $143.75 | $125 | $143.75 |
| Identification of 2 invertebrates | $200 | $230 | $200 | $230 |
| Identification of 3 or more invertebrates | $265 | $304.75 | $265 | $304.75 |
| Identification of nematodes | $275 | $316.25 | $275 | $316.25 |
| PCR – nucleic acid extraction | $105 | $120.75 | $50 | $57.50 |
| PCR – test | $50 | $57.50 | $15 | $17.25 |
| Sequencing – direct | $100 | $115 | $80 | $92 |
| Sequencing – cloned product | $390 | $448.50 | $265 | $304.75 |
Phytoplasma
| Test type | First sample | Additional sample | ||
| (excl GST) | (incl GST) | (excl GST) | (incl GST) | |
| PCR – nucleic acid extraction | $105 | $120.75 | $50 | $57.50 |
| PCR – test | $75 | $86.25 | $20 | $23 |
Virus and virus-like organism
| Test type | First sample | Additional sample | ||
| (excl GST) | (incl GST) | (excl GST) | (incl GST) | |
| Diagnosis of viral diseases (includes negative results) | $525 | $603.75 | $525 | $603.75 |
| Electron microscopy | $75 | $86.25 | $35 | $40.25 |
| Bioassay – mechanical inoculation | $165 | $189.75 | $90 | $103.50 |
| Bioassay – woody grafting (Fragaria, Ipomoea)* | $185 | $212.75 | $105 | $120.75 |
| ELISA | $210 | $241.50 | $40 | $46 |
| PCR – nucleic acid extraction | $105 | $120.75 | $50 | $57.50 |
| RT-PCR test | $90 | $103.50 | $25 | $28.75 |
| Sequencing – direct | $100 | $115 | $80 | $92 |
| Sequencing – cloned product | $390 | $448.50 | $265 | $304.75 |
*for other species contact peqtesting@mpi.govt.nz
Other charges
| Test type | First sample | Additional sample | ||
| (excl GST) | (incl GST) | (excl GST) | (incl GST) | |
| Provision of PEQ space (per cultivar, per month; max 10 plants per cultivar) |
$265 | $304.75 | $265 | $304.75 |
| Packaging and handling for subcontracted tests | $40 | $46 | $40 | $46 |
| Transport for subcontracted tests (such as courier) | Actual cost | Actual cost | Actual cost | Actual cost |
| Hourly rate (for example, technical advice) | $105 | $120.75 | $105 | $120.75 |
Find out more
- MPI's fees and charges
- Biosecurity (Costs) Regulations 2010 – New Zealand legislation website
- Download a pdf of our tests and charges [PDF, 339 KB]
Who to contact
If you have questions about fees and charges, email info@mpi.govt.nz.
