Existing approvals you could use
In some cases you may not need to apply for an approval to import a new organism because one already exists.
In some cases you may not need to apply for an approval to import a new organism because one already exists.
There are two basic types of new organism approvals:
Development approvals may only be used by the approval-holder.
Most new organism approvals can only be used by the applicant listed in the approval. However, there are some existing approvals to import new organisms that can be used by people other than the applicant.
You can use an existing approval if:
If you meet the above criteria, we recommend you confirm this with us first.
Some of the approvals require that you notify us and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) when your organisation wants to use the approval. Email us at neworganisms@epa.govt.nz or call 0800 CALLEPA (0800 225 537). We can also direct you the appropriate person at MPI if required.
See the list of all existing approvals
Organisms with approval to be held in containment (including approvals for field tests) are classed as a new organisms and cannot be used beyond the scope of the approval. If you want to release a new organism that currently has containment approval, you need additional approval from us.
A vaccine that contains or is a live new organism needs approval from us to be used in New Zealand. These approvals usually have controls and the new organism can only be used for the purpose specified in the application, ie. as a vaccine. Occasionally, a vaccine containing a live new organism may be approved without controls. In this case, the organism is no longer classed as a new organism and is no longer regulated under the HSNO Act (but the vaccine may still be regulated under other legislation, eg. the Medicines Act).
Organisms that were legally held and were subject to regulation in New Zealand before 29 July 1998, were subsequently "deemed approved" under the HSNO Act.
Approval to release a new organism can be given with or without controls. An approval has controls if there are risks that need to be managed, such as requiring an organism to be sourced from a specific location.
Any organism approved for release with controls is still classed as a new organism and can only be used in the manner specified in the approval.
Any organism that is approved for release without controls is no longer classed as a new organism and does not need any further approvals from us.
These are species of zoo animals that prior to July 1998 were regulated under the Zoological Gardens Regulations 1977, but were subsequently approved under the HSNO Act.
List of animals approved for public display, conservation or research purposes (PDF, 360KB)
There are some animals that are not allowed in New Zealand at all—even in a zoo. These include beavers and prairie dogs, all venomous reptiles, venomous fish or venomous invertebrates.
Animals prohibited in New Zealand