MPI Replacement Plant Health & Environmental Capability Facility

Details

Biosecurity New Zealand (BNZ) Tiakitanga Pūtaiao Aotearoa, a business unit within the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), leads the country’s biosecurity system and spearheads MPI’s work to protect New Zealand from new and emerging exotic pests and diseases that pose a risk to our economy, environment, human health, and social and cultural well-being, including taonga species, such as our irreplaceable native plants.

Our biosecurity is a national asset. It is more important to New Zealand than most other countries because we are an isolated island nation that is free of many pests and diseases, we have unique biodiversity that is threatened by invasive species, our culture reflects our unique environment and much of our wealth relies on trade and the primary sector.

Plant related diagnostics, investigations, and surveillance activities are delivered by our specialist scientists and support staff based at the Plant Health & Environment Laboratory (PHEL) in Tāmaki, Auckland. These activities are essential for growing New Zealand’s economy safely and sustainably while protecting our unique biodiversity and taonga. It is important our facilities are fit for purpose so we can continue growing and protecting New Zealand.

MPI received Cabinet approval in March 2021 to develop a detailed business case to construct a new facility to replace the PHEL to ensure that we can continue to meet the changing demand for our services. We are seeking to engage construction, design, and consultancy services. Early total project cost estimation is $300-400M.

The scope of this proposal includes investment in land (purchase or lease), modern laboratories, specialist equipment and infrastructure, high security quarantine greenhouses and specialist science personnel for BNZ’s plant health and environment operations.

Please see the attachment for further information on the programme.