Minister and Ministry for Primary Industries

The Ministry for Primary Industries was established in 2012 as a result of a merger between the Former Ministry of Fisheries and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. 

The Ministry reports to Minister across six portfolios:

• Minister of Agriculture
• Minister of Forestry
• Minister for Oceans and Fisheries
• Minister for Biosecurity
• Minister for Food Safety
• Minister for Rural Communities

The Ministry has five specialist business units:

Biosecurity New Zealand: leads New Zealand’s biosecurity system under the Biosecurity Act 1993.

Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service: supports forestry priorities, including under the Emissions Trading Scheme, National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry, and the administration of the Forest Act 1949.

Fisheries New Zealand: seeks to ensure that fisheries resources are sustainably managed under the Fisheries Act 1996.

Agriculture and Investment Services: supports and promotes primary industries.

New Zealand Food Safety: supports primary producers, exporters, importers, and consumers by implementing regulatory functions for biosecurity, food safety, primary production, animal welfare, and fisheries management to instil confidence and trust in New Zealand and its products.

The Ministers listed above, and the Director-General of the Ministry for Primary Industries, have various decision-making powers in relation to fisheries, aquaculture and forestry.

For more information: www.mpi.govt.nz 

Last updated at 4:48PM on January 21, 2025