An organism includes microorganisms (including bacteria and viruses), cell lines, human cells (but not human beings), sperm, oocytes (cells from which an egg or ovum develops), embryos, seeds, plants, fish and animals.
In New Zealand, a new organism is defined as:
An organism that arrived in New Zealand after 29 July 1998.
An organism that became extinct before July 29 1998.
An organism with approval to be in containment.
An organism with approval to be released with controls.
A genetically modified organism.
An organism that was deliberately eradicated from New Zealand (as the result a specified eradication programme with a stated goal or purpose of eliminating the organism from New Zealand).
An organism that was present in New Zealand before 29 July 1998 in contravention of the Animals Act 1967 or the Plants Act 1970 (except for the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (rabbit calicivirus)).
A risk species.
If your organism is a new organism, you need approval from us to import, develop, field test or release your organism in New Zealand.