You need approval to import and grow new plant species in New Zealand. Below is a list of the new plant species that we have approved to grow in the New Zealand environment (this list does not include new plants that have been approved to grow in research laboratories, glasshouses or field test sites).
If you want to import and grow new species of plants (for example, to grow in your home garden or commercially) you need approval from us and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). We look at whether the plant species itself may cause harm to New Zealand while MPI assesses the potential biosecurity risks from the pests and diseases the imported plants may carry.
Please note that there are some plants that are not allowed in New Zealand at all.
Please contact us (Phone (04) 474 5591 or email noinfo@epa.govt.nz) to discuss your options if you want to import new plants.
To talk to MPI about importing new plants, contact the Plant Imports team on:plantimports@mpi.govt.nz
Plants approved to grow in New Zealand (listed by date approved)