About new organisms
Our economy relies on organisms that are not native to New Zealand. We need to assess and manage the risks of introducing new organisms into New Zealand.
If you have any questions you can call the New Organisms team on 04 474 5591 or email us at neworganisms@epa.govt.nz.
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.
New organisms in New Zealand
In New Zealand, a new organism is defined as:
- An organism that was not present in New Zealand immediately before 29 July 1998.
- An organism with approval to be in containment.
- An organism with approval to be released with controls.
- A genetically modified organism.
- An organism that was deliberately eradicated from New Zealand (as the result a specified eradication programme, with a stated goal or purpose of eliminating the organism from New Zealand).
- An organism that was present in New Zealand before 29 July 1998 in contravention of the Animals Act 1967 or the Plants Act 1970 (except for the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (rabbit calicivirus)).
- A risk species, which is defined as a population of a species present in New Zealand that may only represent a small subset of its full genetic potential. Some of that potential could be harmful to New Zealand. In such cases, the species can be regulated as a ‘risk species’. This means that the species—with the exception of the population already present in New Zealand—becomes a new organism.
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 are unsure whether your organism is new to New Zealand, get in touch with us.
