While gearing up for an influx of arrivals over the school holidays – the Ministry for Primary Industries has revealed some of the things people arriving into New Zealand have wanted to bring into the country with them.
In July, MPI said they seized 800g of cow dung at Christchurch Airport after it was declared by a family returning from Europe.
Some of the dung was shaped into patties, and some was immersed in ghee. MPI understood it was going to be burnt for religious purposes.
The dung was pictured alongside other biosecurity items declared by the family, including packets of vegetable seeds, fresh onions and garlic.
In the same month, MPI said biosecurity officers came across two chilly bins of clam meat weighing a total of 50kg after it was declared by a passenger arriving from Fiji.
MPI said as the passenger was unable to provide a CITES certificate authorising the endangered marine species to be imported into New Zealand, officers informed the passenger the only option was to surrender the clam meat.
Biosecurity NZ prepares for the school holidays
Passenger arrivals are expected to be higher than last year during the September school holidays – and Biosecurity NZ is gearing up to deal with the influx.
Arrivals at Auckland Airport are expected to be 2% higher than 2023.
This year, 70 new frontline border officers have been recruited across the country, with 51 of those located in Auckland.
Biosecurity NZ commissioner Mike Inglis said nationwide, officers screened 474,272 passengers in August, up from 459,122 in the same month last year.
“Officers also seized 7,536 risk items in August and issued 610 infringement notices to passengers who failed to declare items.
“Our role is to ensure biosecurity threats such as the exotic fruit fly and brown marmorated stink bug do not cross our borders.
“These and other pests and diseases could have a devastating impact on New Zealand’s $54 billion primary sector.”
The top three seizures in August were fresh produce, meat products and used equipment.