New Zealand: Agricultural Biotechnology Annual

In New Zealand, genetically engineered (GE) products are regulated under the 1996 Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO) and administered by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). On October 14, 2023, New Zealand held a general election, which resulted in a change in Government. The new coalition government has agreed to introduce new biotechnology (gene technology) legislation by the end of 2024. This legislation intends to allow for greater use of gene technology while still ensuring strong protections for the health and safety of people and the environment. It will be based on Australia’s Gene Technology Act 2000 and modified to a New Zealand context. Food Standards Australia New Zealand, the regulatory authority for approving the sale of GE food products in New Zealand, has approved 90 GE food and microbial-derived products to date.