Articles tagged with Andrew Hoggard
New Research Projects Boost Efforts to Eradicate Yellow-Legged Hornet in NZ
2 days ago | 67 viewsFour new research projects led by the Bioeconomy Science Institute will support Biosecurity New Zealand's efforts to eradicate the yellow-legged hornet, focusing on risk modeling, impact assessment, targeted communication with Māori communities, and readiness planning for the apiculture sector. Since the hornet's detection in Auckland last year, 77 queens and 132 nests have been removed, with no sightings since early April, but ongoing surveillance and public vigilance remain crucial. Funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, these projects aim to enhance eradication strategies and prepare for potential long-term management.
Tags: Penny Simmonds Andrew Hoggard Biosecurity New Zealand Bioeconomy Science Institute Auckland Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Maiangi Taiao Māori communities apiculture sectorNew Zealand Prepares for Bird Flu Arrival: Biosecurity Measures and Safety Tips
5 days ago | 140 viewsNew Zealand is actively preparing for the potential arrival of the H5N1 bird flu strain, collaborating across government agencies and local councils while urging the public to adopt strong biosecurity measures. Recent detections of the virus in migratory seabirds in Western Australia highlight the risk, prompting close monitoring and communication with Australian authorities. Citizens are advised to watch for signs of illness in birds, maintain cleanliness, avoid contact with wild birds, and report multiple sick or dead birds to authorities, with the human health risk currently assessed as low.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Biosecurity Minister Ministry for Primary Industries Department of Conservation Ministry of Health Health New Zealand H5N1 bird flu avian influenza Australian authoritiesGovernment Invests $750,000 in Pilot Projects to Manage Wild Deer Impact on Farms
2 weeks ago | 168 viewsThe Government is investing $750,000 in three pilot projects led by catchment groups in Rangitīkei, Wairarapa, and North Canterbury to measure and reduce wild deer impacts on privately-owned production land. These projects, running until August 2027, aim to assess deer populations, evaluate control techniques, and inform future management plans while involving farmers, hunters, and regional councils. Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager emphasized that toxins like brodifacoum will not be used, and hunter-led conservation will play a key role in the programme.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard James Meager Ministry for Primary Industries Rangitīkei Wairarapa North Canterbury Hurunui District Landcare Group Wairarapa Catchment Collective Rangitīkei River Catchment Collective GovernmentBudget 2026 Boosts NZ Primary Sector with $4.77B for Growth and Sustainability
3 weeks ago | 299 viewsBudget 2026 allocates $4.77 billion over four years to support New Zealand's primary sector, focusing on boosting productivity, improving land management, and enhancing resilience. Key investments include funding to combat wilding pines, reduce agricultural emissions, and support farmer-led initiatives, aiming to sustain the food and fibre sector, the country's largest export earner. The government emphasizes efficient resource use, regulatory reform, market expansion, and environmental partnerships to ensure the sector’s sustainable growth and economic contribution.
Tags: Todd McClay Andrew Hoggard Mark Patterson Mike Butterick Budget 2026 Ministry for Primary Industries New Zealand agriculture food and fibre sector farmersGovernment Boosts $79M to Combat Wilding Pines and Protect Rural NZ
1 month ago | 261 viewsThe Government is investing an additional $79 million over three years to combat the spread of wilding pines, which threaten farmland, water supplies, biodiversity, and increase wildfire risks across more than two million hectares in New Zealand. This funding boost supports the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme and partners including regional councils, iwi, farmers, and volunteers to enhance rural productivity and long-term community resilience. Additionally, MPI will develop a National Pest Management Plan to improve coordination and establish consistent rules for ongoing wilding pine control.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Biosecurity Minister New Zealand wilding pines National Wilding Conifer Control Programme Budget 2026 MPI Canterbury Otago MarlboroughAuckland Yellow-Legged Hornet Eradication On Track, Public Urged to Stay Alert
1 month ago | 321 viewsBiosecurity New Zealand’s eradication efforts against the yellow-legged hornet in Auckland are progressing well, with no sightings for over six weeks and hornets confined to a small area. The response is entering a monitoring phase through winter, focusing on trapping and preparation for potential hornet re-emergence in spring, while urging public vigilance and caution during outdoor activities. The operation, praised internationally and supported by extensive public reporting, began last November and remains intensive to ensure complete eradication.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Biosecurity New Zealand Auckland hornet eradication North Shore pest control biosecurity response invasive species public reportingGovernment Updates ACVM Bill to Boost Access to Agricultural Chemicals and Vet Medicines
1 month ago | 315 viewsThe Government is introducing the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Amendment Bill to streamline access to new agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines by reducing regulatory complexity and focusing on real risks. The Bill enables reliance on trusted overseas assessments, expedites approval for low-risk products, and works alongside the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Amendment Bill to create a more adaptive, internationally aligned regulatory framework. These changes aim to enhance safety, trade competitiveness, transparency, and timely decision-making, with the Bill expected to complete parliamentary readings by late 2026.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines ACVM Amendment Bill Ministry for Primary Industries Hazardous Substances and New Organisms HSNO Amendment Bill Primary Production Committee Food Safety Minister New Zealand government agricultural chemicalsGovernment Streamlines Food Safety Verification for Multi-Site Businesses Nationwide
1 month ago | 308 viewsThe Government is standardizing food safety verification for multi-site food businesses by implementing consistent site-sampling guidelines, reducing costs, and ensuring all sites are verified over time based on risk levels and performance. Recent measures have saved money for small food businesses through free training, relaxed testing for meat processors, eased requirements for home-based bakers, and simplified export rules. Future plans aim to further cut regulatory costs, simplify processes, and create a fairer, more efficient food safety system responsive to industry needs.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Food Safety Minister Government food businesses food safety National Programmes Food Control Plan food exporters regulatory costsNew Zealand Launches Assurance Role to Boost Voluntary Nature and Carbon Markets
1 month ago | 368 viewsAssociate Minister Andrew Hoggard announced a government-backed assurance role to boost New Zealand's voluntary nature and carbon markets, providing confidence to investors and landowners through quality signals rather than guarantees. The initiative recognizes high-quality international schemes and introduces a domestic endorsement pathway assessed against internationally aligned principles, enabling private funding for environmental restoration projects. Additionally, the package opens public conservation land to privately funded projects that complement Crown efforts, with applications opening later this year following pilot partnerships with key market participants.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard New Zealand Trees That Count Sanctuary Mountain Pāmu Associate Minister for the Environment Ministry for the Environment carbon markets nature restoration True NatureAssociate Minister Visits Silver Fern Farms to Boost Nature-Positive Export Markets
1 month ago | 373 viewsAssociate Minister Hon Andrew Hoggard visited Silver Fern Farms in Dunedin to learn how the company addresses growing export demand for credible nature and biodiversity outcomes. Silver Fern Farms collaborates with the Government to develop voluntary nature and carbon markets, using innovative tools like PRISM Earth to support on-farm decision-making and link biodiversity to export claims. The visit also highlighted the Nature Market Accelerator initiative, demonstrating effective public-private collaboration to promote nature-positive production in New Zealand’s food industry.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Silver Fern Farms Dunedin PRISM Earth Lynker Analytics Dan Boulton Nature Market Accelerator New Zealand Government biodiversityNew Research to Improve Food Safety Rules for Deer Hunters in New Zealand
1 month ago | 278 viewsNew research led by the Bioeconomy Science Institute and Lincoln University aims to provide evidence for more targeted food safety rules regarding deer hunting near brodifacoum bait stations. Current regulations impose a two-kilometre buffer zone for three years after poisoning, limiting commercial hunting access, but evolving science may allow for refined, less restrictive measures. This research will also help maintain New Zealand’s reputation for safe meat exports and support trade assurances.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Food Safety Minister Bioeconomy Science Institute Lincoln University deer hunters food safety rules brodifacoum toxicology statistical modelling bait station designFree Online Food Safety Training Launched to Support NZ Food Businesses
1 month ago | 387 viewsThe Government has launched a free online food safety training module to simplify and improve accessibility for food businesses, addressing previous challenges of cost and difficulty. Developed with industry input, this module is the first of six aimed at modernizing New Zealand’s food safety system to be fairer, more efficient, and responsive to business needs. Additional modules and initiatives are planned to further support the sector with appropriate, risk-based regulations and tools.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Government Food Safety Restaurant Association Hospitality NZ New Zealand Food Businesses Online Training Food Safety Module Home BakersNew Zealand Tests Foot and Mouth Disease Readiness with Farm Simulations
1 month ago | 373 viewsNew Zealand will test its foot and mouth disease readiness through upcoming simulations, including Exercise Farm Gate in May and Exercise Cloven Shield in July, led by the Ministry for Primary Industries. These exercises aim to rehearse responses from on-farm detection to national governance, strengthening biosecurity systems to protect the economy and communities. The government emphasizes the importance of preparedness given the potentially massive economic impact of an outbreak, estimated at up to $14.3 billion annually without action.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard New Zealand Biosecurity Minister Ministry for Primary Industries MPI Exercise Farm Gate Exercise Cloven Shield Taranaki foot and mouth disease Government Industry AgreementNew Zealand Reviews Ruminant Protein Rules to Protect $4.9B Beef Export
1 month ago | 317 viewsNew Zealand is reviewing its Biosecurity (Ruminant Protein) Regulations 1999 to prevent BSE (mad cow disease) from entering its cattle and protect the $4.9 billion beef export sector. The review focuses on preventing cross contamination and accidental exposure to ruminant protein in cattle feed, which is crucial for maintaining the country's negligible-risk status recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health. Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard emphasizes that getting the regulations right is vital for keeping international markets open, with public consultation running from April 28 to June 12.
Tags: New Zealand Andrew Hoggard Biosecurity ruminant protein regulations BSE mad cow disease beef export World Organisation for Animal Health prion diseases cattleNew NZ Customs Levy Regime Starts Today: Fairer Fees for Importers and Exporters
2 months ago | 445 viewsA new levy regime effective today aims to make New Zealand’s goods management system fairer by shifting border clearance costs from taxpayers to importers and exporters, particularly addressing the surge in low-value online imports. The changes introduce differentiated charges based on consignment type and value, end subsidies for low-value goods and commercial vessels, and include fees for international transshipments and empty containers. These reforms, developed with industry consultation, are expected to recover NZ$71 million over four years, supporting Customs and MPI in safeguarding trade, biosecurity, and community safety.
Tags: Casey Costello Andrew Hoggard Customs Biosecurity New Zealand goods levy MPI border management online imports