A “prohibited organism” is an organism that is considered very high risk to the New Zealand environment. They can never be imported, developed, field tested or released in New Zealand. You need to confirm that the new organism you are making an application for is not prohibited.
The following are all prohibited organisms in New Zealand.
1. Any snake of any species.
2. Any venomous reptile, venomous amphibian, venomous fish, or venomous invertebrate (ie. capable of inflicting poisonous wounds harmful to human health).
3. Any American grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis gmelini).
4. Any red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris).
5. Any musquash (or muskrat) (Ondatra zibethica).
6. Any coypu or nutria (Myocastor coypus).
7. Any beaver (Castor canadensis).
8. Any gerbil (Meriones unguicaulatus).
9. Any praire dog (Cyonomys spp.).
10. Any pocket gopher (Geomys spp. and Thomomys spp.).
11. Any red or silver fox (Vulpes vulpes).
12. Any Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus).
13. Any mongoose (family Herpestidae) other than Suricata suricatta.
14. Any member of the family Mustelidae, subfamily Mustelinae, other than ferrets (Mustela furo), weasels (Mustela nivalis), and stoats (Mustela erminea), and subfamily Lutrinae, other than oriental small clawed otter (Aonyx cineria).
15. Any mole (family Talpidae).
16. Any member of the family Esocidae (eg. pikes, muskellunge).
17. Any member of the families Phalangeridae and Petauridae, other than the Australian brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula).
18. Any stickleback (Gasterosteus spp.).
19. Any giant African snail (Achatina spp.).
20. Any predatory snail (Euglandina rosea).
21. Any cane toad (Bufo marinus).
22. Negro root (Cassia occidentalis).
23. Skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea)
24. Cymbopogon schoenanthus.
25. Cynanchum (all species), eg. Indian swallowart.
26. Hairy thorn apple (Datura metel).
27. Ephedra sinica.
28. Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula).
29. Star of Bethlehem, Pua-hoku (Hoppobroma longiflora)
30. Poverty weed (Iva axillaries).
31. Any member of the family Loranthaceae (eg. mistletoe), other than Alepis flavida, Lleostylus micranthus, Peraxilla colensoi, Peraxilla tetrapetala, Trilepidea adamsii, and Tupeia antarctica.
32. Any member of the genus Korthalsella other than Korthalsella clavata, Korthalsella lindsayi, and Korthalsella salicornioides.
33. Butterbur (Petasites hybridus).
34. Witchweed (all species) (Striga).
35. Strychnine (Strychnos nux-vomica).
36. Tourrettia volubilis.
37. Puncture vine (Tribulus terrestris).
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