Applying for permission to breed, knowingly communicate, exhibit, multiply, propagate, release, or sell, an unwanted organism

An "unwanted organism" is defined in the Biosecurity Act 1993 as any organism a Chief Technical Officer (CTO) believes capable of causing unwanted harm to any natural and physical resources or human health.

It is an offence under the Biosecurity Act 1993 to breed, knowingly communicate, exhibit, multiply, propagate, release, and sell or offer for sale unwanted organisms. If you wish to carry out any of these activities for a specific purpose e.g.:

  • you are a Crown Research Institute or university wishing to undertake research on an unwanted organism, or
  • a regional council wishing to exhibit an unwanted organism at the Field Days, or
  • you are wishing to make a commercial benefit from an unwanted organism

you will need to apply to MAF Biosecurity New Zealand to do so.

1. Are you dealing with an unwanted organism?

Not all pest organisms are declared as unwanted organisms. If you are unsure as to whether the organism(s) involved in your proposed activity are declared unwanted or not please refer to the following website as a guide http://www1.maf.govt.nz/uor/searchframe.htm (offsite link to www1.maf.govt.nz).

If your organism is listed on the above website you will need to go to Step 2 below, if not you may need to contact your local Regional Council and/or agencies such as the Department of Conservation as there may be other Biosecurity Act restrictions or legislation that you need to consider.

2. How do you apply for a permission?

To apply for permission to undertake activities involving unwanted organisms that would otherwise be prohibited under sections 52 and/or 53 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, please read and complete the application form Link to PDF document (103 KB). Following submission of a complete and thorough application form to MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, the CTO - MAF Biosecurity New Zealand will undertake an assessment of the proposed activity. A document outlining the CTO’s decision will then be sent to you. Please note this process takes a minimum of one month to complete. You will need to consider this time frame in your application.

3. What are the relevant parts of the biosecurity act 1993?

Under section 52 of the Biosecurity Act 1993:

No person shall knowingly communicate, cause to be communicated, release, or cause to be released or otherwise spread any pest or unwanted organism except…(d) As permitted either generally or specifically by a chief technical officer.

Under section 53 of the Biosecurity Act 1993:

(1) …the owner or person in charge of an organism which that person knows or suspects constitutes, contains, or harbours a pest or unwanted organism must not-

(a) cause or permit that organism to be in a place where organisms are offered for sale or are exhibited; or
(b) sell or offer that organism for sale; or
(c) propagate, breed, or multiply the pest or unwanted organism or otherwise act in a manner as is likely to encourage or cause the propagation, breeding, or multiplication of the pest or unwanted organism.

(2) A chief technical officer may permit an owner or person in charge of an organism to carry out an act otherwise prohibited by this section.

4. Importing an unwanted organism

For enquiries related to importing an unwanted organism, please contact Barry Wards, Senior Adviser, Border Standards, Ph: 04 894 0475, Fax: 04 894 0733, Cell: 029 894 0475, email: barry.wards@maf.govt.nz

5. Links to specific unwanted organism policy or procedures

Page last updated: 5 November 2009