09 Oct 2026
2 weeks ago
290 views
The Government is proposing updates to New Zealand's Simply Safe & Suitable food control plan to simplify food safety obligations by reducing paperwork, focusing on key risks, and using clearer, business-friendly language. Key changes include less testing and record-keeping, a modular template tailored to operations, and clearer links between hazards and corrective actions, alongside recent measures like free online training and eased rules for certain food businesses. Consultation on these proposals runs until 15 November 2026, with further reforms such as ongoing registration expected by mid-2025.
08 Oct 2026
2 weeks ago
226 views
The New Zealand Government, led by Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard, is seeking public feedback on proposed rules to prevent dogs from being confined in cages or kennels for excessively long periods, which can cause anxiety, fear, and aggression. The proposals would allow Animal Welfare Inspectors to issue $500 fines to owners if dogs show two or more signs of prolonged confinement harm, while clarifying that normal short-term confinement, such as kennelling at night or during farm work, remains acceptable. Consultation on these rules, including views on dog breeding and commercial services, opens from 12 October to 23 November 2026.
01 Oct 2026
3 weeks ago
275 views
The Government is updating the National American Foulbrood Pest Management Plan with industry-driven improvements to better identify and contain the disease affecting honeybee larvae. These changes include enhanced colony identification, improved reporting, and stronger compliance measures, while keeping costs and paperwork minimal for beekeepers. The updates aim to protect New Zealand's $426 million apiculture sector and support pollination services vital to the primary industry.
08 Sep 2026
1 month ago
377 views
The Government’s free online Food Safety Basics training modules have benefited thousands of food business staff, with the third module on maintaining a food safe workplace now available. Developed with industry input, the course covers key topics like cleaning, pest control, and waste management, and aims to simplify food safety while saving businesses money on costly training. Additionally, recent government changes have reduced regulatory burdens and costs for various food businesses, supporting a more efficient and consistent food safety system nationwide.
31 Aug 2026
1 month ago
582 views
The Government is seeking public feedback on updating rules to make it easier to buy and process animals from local farmers, including relaxing the 28-day care requirement and potentially allowing wider sharing of homekill and hunted meat. Proposed changes include labeling homekill and hunted meat to indicate they haven't undergone standard retail checks, while maintaining provider requirements and the ban on selling such meat. The consultation aims to clarify vague rules, especially to enable hunters to donate meat to foodbanks, and runs until 5 October 2026.
24 Aug 2026
2 months ago
593 views
Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard is representing New Zealand at the 11th APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting in China, which focuses on regional cooperation to address food security challenges and promote sustainable, resilient food systems. The forum brings together 21 member economies to share policies, enhance trade, and collaborate on innovation, climate resilience, and supply chain stability. New Zealand emphasizes its commitment to open trade and access to safe, nutritious food while engaging in bilateral meetings with business stakeholders during the visit.
19 Aug 2026
2 months ago
617 views
The Government is taking targeted action to provide certainty for farmers in Waikato and Manawatū-Whanganui by preventing restrictive elements of Plan Change 1 (PC1) and Plan Change 2 (PC2) from applying during the transition to a new planning system, reducing duplication and regulatory burden. While ongoing environmental improvements remain required, prescribed nitrogen discharge reductions under PC2 will no longer apply, and the new natural environment plan will specifically consider PC1 to respect prior work. These changes aim to avoid economic disruption and uncertainty for farmers, with amendments to be progressed through upcoming legislation later this month.
19 Aug 2026
2 months ago
574 views
The Government is making targeted amendments to the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill to create a faster, clearer, and more practical planning system that supports food and fibre production while protecting the environment. Key changes include simplifying environmental limits, extending the definition of existing use to 12 months for seasonal activities, and amending long-lived infrastructure permits to provide greater investment certainty. Additionally, the amendments strengthen biodiversity protections, allow councils to manage waterbody effects more flexibly, and aim to reduce complexity while maintaining environmental improvement.
19 Aug 2026
2 months ago
600 views
The Government is revising freshwater farm plans to create a simpler, more cost-effective system focused on certifying and auditing only higher-risk farming activities, such as dairy farming and intensive grazing. New regulations will streamline requirements, raise thresholds for mandatory plans, extend certification cycles, and enable industry organizations to provide certification services, reducing duplication and paperwork for farmers. These changes aim to better manage actual water quality risks while minimizing costs and administrative burdens for farmers.
18 Aug 2026
2 months ago
783 views
The New Zealand Government has launched a $1.5 million Poultry Biosecurity Grant to help small to medium-sized poultry operators prepare for the potential arrival of H5 bird flu by funding up to 50% of biosecurity improvements. This grant supports infrastructure upgrades, bird-proofing, cleaning facilities, and development of biosecurity plans, aiming to protect jobs, livelihoods, and the domestic food supply ahead of new regulations effective by the end of 2026. With two confirmed H5 detections but no poultry outbreaks, the government emphasizes strong biosecurity as a key defense and encourages applications by 30 September 2026.
18 Aug 2026
2 months ago
826 views
The New Zealand Government has launched a $1.5 million Poultry Biosecurity Grant to help small to medium-sized poultry operators prepare for the possible arrival of H5 bird flu by funding up to 50% of costs for biosecurity improvements. This grant supports infrastructure upgrades, bird-proofing, cleaning facilities, and development of required biosecurity plans ahead of new regulations effective by the end of 2026. With two confirmed H5 detections but no poultry outbreaks, the initiative aims to protect jobs, food supply, and the poultry sector from this ongoing biosecurity threat.
11 Aug 2026
2 months ago
542 views
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard announced a new $1 million, two-year community funding programme to support grassroots wilding pine control projects, supplementing a $109 million national investment over three years. Wilding pines threaten farmland, water supplies, native biodiversity, and increase wildfire risks, making both national coordination and local action essential. Expressions of interest for the funding will open later this year to empower volunteers, landowners, and community groups in controlling infestations.
28 Jul 2026
2 months ago
788 views
The Government is introducing mandatory biosecurity regulations for poultry farms with over 100 birds to manage H5 bird flu, requiring farm-specific plans, record-keeping, and audits to protect livelihoods and food supply. These regulations, approved by Cabinet and developed with industry cooperation, aim to enhance on-farm readiness and provide flexibility in managing infection risks while ensuring humane practices. The new rules, supported by industry feedback, will be implemented by the end of 2026 to safeguard poultry, trade, wildlife, and public health.
28 Jul 2026
2 months ago
856 views
The Government is introducing mandatory biosecurity regulations for poultry operators with over 100 birds to manage H5 bird flu, requiring farm biosecurity plans, record-keeping, audits, and clear response strategies. These regulations aim to enhance on-farm readiness, protect farmers' livelihoods, secure the domestic food supply, and mitigate risks from widespread infection in wild birds. Developed in collaboration with industry and supported by MPI, the regulations will be finalized and implemented by the end of 2026.
27 Jul 2026
2 months ago
702 views
The Government is introducing a new pathway allowing minor crop growers to use internationally agreed Codex maximum residue levels (MRLs) for agricultural chemicals, improving pest and weed control options. This change addresses the limitations of low default MRLs that previously restricted effective chemical use on crops like strawberries and leafy greens, supporting both safety and industry flexibility. New Zealand Food Safety will assess applications for Codex MRLs, followed by public consultation, to ensure safe adoption and support export opportunities.