About new organisms
Our economy relies on organisms that are not native to Aotearoa New Zealand. We need to assess and manage the risks of introducing new organisms into New Zealand.
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Our economy relies on organisms that are not native to Aotearoa New Zealand. We need to assess and manage the risks of introducing new organisms into New Zealand.
We manage risks to the environment, the health and safety of people, Māori culture and traditions, and the market economy from organisms that are new to New Zealand. We do this without limiting New Zealand’s future potential for innovation.
Organisms include microorganisms (including bacteria and viruses), cell lines, human cells (but not human beings), sperm, oocytes (cells from which an egg or ovum develops), embryos, seeds, plants, fish, and animals.
In New Zealand, a new organism is defined as:
If you have an organism that is new, you need approval from us to import, develop, field test or release your organism in New Zealand. Approval cannot be given to prohibited organisms.
Find out how to apply for new organism approval
If you have any questions you can call the New Organisms team on 0800 CALLEPA (0800 225 537) or email us at neworganisms@epa.govt.nz
There are a number of databases that can help you to determine if your organism was present in New Zealand before 29 July 1998. Any organism that is officially recorded as being present in the New Zealand environment before this date is not a new organism.
There is no single list of all the species that are present in New Zealand. If your organism does not appear in one of the following databases or lists, or you have reason to believe it is not a new organism, you can apply for a formal determination of its status.
The HSNO Application Register records every application made to us. If an organism has been determined to not be a new organism or it has been approved for release without conditions, it can be imported into New Zealand without further approval from us.
Search the HSNO application register
View our list of microbes, animals and plants we have determined to be present through statutory and non-statutory advice (last update July 2020).
List of microbes present in New Zealand – June 2022 (PDF, 892KB)
List of animals present in New Zealand – June 2022 (PDF, 367KB)
List of plants present in New Zealand – June 2022 (PDF, 1.19MB)
The Plants Biosecurity Index (PBI) contains a list of plant species that are legally allowed to be imported into New Zealand, subject to the relevant Import Health Standard (IHS) under the Biosecurity Act. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) oversees this list, and undertakes an assessment of biosecurity risks for a plant before it is assigned to an IHS. Plant species listed on the PBI are not new organisms.
Plant Biosecurity Index (PBI) - Ministry for Primary Industries website database
The nzflora website carries information on the naturalised and indigenous plants of New Zealand.
Visit the Flora of New Zealand website
The best database for micro organisms is the Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research's fungi (and bacteria) database. This database also records organisms in other countries so you need to make sure that the organism is listed as present in New Zealand.
Fungi (and bacteria) database - Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research website
The Ornithological Society of New Zealand has information about all birds known to be present in New Zealand:
The Ornamental Fish and Marine Invertebrate Import Health Standard lists a number of species that are not new and can be imported into New Zealand without approval from us.
All import health standards - Ministry for Primary Industries website
The New Zealand Arthropod Collection (NZAC) has the most complete coverage of terrestrial invertebrates in New Zealand.
New Zealand Arthropod Collection – Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research website
The Biological Control Agents introduced to New Zealand (BCANZ) database contains information on the biological control agents that have been introduced to New Zealand.
BCANZ database - Better Border Biosecurity website
Please note that certain biological control agents are still classed as new organisms and as such are still regulated under the HSNO Act.
The New Organisms team are happy to help you as much as possible.
Take a look at our HSNO risk assessment model to find out more.