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As an island nation, we’re free from many of the nasties found elsewhere in the world. Our pristine natural environment is part of our national identity and a drawcard for international tourists. We expect it to be protected.
The good news: New Zealand has a world-class biosecurity system. So far, we’ve kept out major threats like foot and mouth disease and the brown marmorated stink bug. New Zealand has also eradicated invasive pests such as pea weevil, Queensland fruit fly and the southern saltmarsh mosquito. The successful fight against the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis is another example of our biosecurity system in action.
But biosecurity isn’t just about protecting exports and nature - it’s also about keeping people safe. We’ve managed to stay rabies-free and keep disease-carrying mosquitoes and ticks at bay. We continue to monitor the spread of avian influenza around the world, aware of its potential human health risks as well as its destructive effect on commercial and native bird populations.
While MPI plays a key role, biosecurity in New Zealand is a team game involving many different players - from government agencies to industry groups, scientists, Māori organisations and everyday Kiwis. The Department of Conservation works to protect native species from invasive threats, regional councils manage pest control at a local level, and industry bodies help develop response plans for sector-specific risks. Even businesses and travellers have a part to play, following biosecurity rules and keeping an eye out for anything unusual.