Ministry for Primary Industries

What Ministry for Primary Industries does

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI; te reo Māori: Manatū Ahu Matua) is a New Zealand Government department headquartered in Wellington that regulates and supports the country's primary industries. Established in 2012 through the merger of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the New Zealand Food Safety Authority, MPI operates six core business units: Biosecurity New Zealand, Fisheries New Zealand, New Zealand Food Safety, Te Uru Rākau (New Zealand Forest Service), Agriculture and Investment Services, and He Taurikura – Māori Partnerships and Investment. Its mandate spans biosecurity border management, food safety assurance (for both domestic consumers and export markets), fisheries sustainability, agricultural compound regulation, forestry oversight, and rural community wellbeing. The organisation employs 1,001–5,000 staff and reports to the New Zealand Government through an appointed Minister.

MPI's service delivery is built on a mix of regulatory systems and operational technology. The Quota Management System (QMS) governs 22 commercial fish stocks, while an on-board camera programme has been deployed on up to 300 commercial fishing vessels — covering approximately 85% of inshore catch by volume — with data transmitted automatically via the Spark mobile network and independently reviewed by approximately 100 Fisheries Observers (around 45 deployed at any one time). MPI also operates the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) programme for biosecurity traceability and runs spatial risk assessment models to estimate protected species capture risk. Distribution occurs through a digital government services portal (mpi.govt.nz), regional offices, an 0800 contact centre, public consultation processes, and partnerships with verification bodies (QCONZ, AsureQuality) and iwi fisheries forums.

As a government department, MPI does not generate commercial revenue. It is funded through parliamentary appropriations and regulatory fees, and its "customers" are effectively New Zealand taxpayers, primary producers, exporters, iwi, and consumers. Programme-level funding commitments include a $4 million Rural Wellbeing Fund (2025–2029, jointly with Health New Zealand) and a $45.85 million Responsible Dairy programme (seven years, with DairyNZ and industry partners). GTM-equivalent channels are public consultations, Beehive media releases, email alerts, community meetings, and direct regulatory engagement with industry bodies.

Name

Ministry for Primary Industries

Legal name

Ministry for Primary Industries

Website

https://mpi.govt.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The Ministry for Primary Industries is a New Zealand Government department that regulates and supports the primary sector — including biosecurity, food safety, fisheries, agriculture, and forestry — for producers, exporters, iwi, and consumers nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Primary Industries Regulation

NAICS

Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry (115), Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Administration (BPAIAAAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

State/Provincial Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Administration (BPAIABAL), Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI)

Keywords

• Biosecurity regulation
• Food safety regulation
• Fisheries management
• Agriculture regulation
• Primary industries policy

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellington

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others, Infrastructure

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ministry for Primary Industries is the New Zealand Government department that regulates and supports the country's primary industries. Its core activities are biosecurity management (border protection, pest and disease response), food safety regulation (Food Act administration, recalls, codes of practice, exporter registration), sustainable fisheries management (Quota Management System across 22 fish stocks, observer coverage, electronic on-board monitoring of up to 300 vessels), agricultural compound and veterinary medicine approval, forestry oversight including Emissions Trading Scheme participation, and rural community wellbeing funding. Services are delivered through six business units (Biosecurity New Zealand, Fisheries New Zealand, New Zealand Food Safety, Te Uru Rākau New Zealand Forest Service, Agriculture and Investment Services, and He Taurikura Māori Partnerships and Investment) to both individuals and businesses.

Product overview

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is a New Zealand government ministry that provides regulatory, management, and support services across the primary sector. It is organized as a platform of interconnected business units and services rather than a single commercial product. The main divisions include: Agriculture and Investment Services, Biosecurity New Zealand, Fisheries New Zealand, New Zealand Food Safety, Te Uru Rākau (New Zealand Forest Service), and He Taurikura (Māori Partnerships and Investment). Services span biosecurity management, food safety regulation, fisheries management and sustainability, agricultural support, forestry oversight, and rural wellbeing funding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Biosecurity New Zealand: Biosecurity operations and policy division of MPI
• Fisheries New Zealand
• New Zealand Food Safety
• Agriculture and Investment Services
• He Taurikura Māori – Māori Partnerships and Investment
• Te Uru Rākau New Zealand Forest Service

Products and services

• New Zealand Food Safety Operating division responsible for administering the Food Act, food safety rules for businesses, food recalls, food safety codes and standards, importer/exporter registration, and consumer food safety information.
• Biosecurity New Zealand Division delivering border biosecurity clearance, pest and disease response programmes, exotic pest incursion management (e.g., yellow-legged hornet response), and biosecurity alerts for the primary sector and travelling public.
• Fisheries New Zealand Division managing New Zealand's fisheries resources including the Quota Management System across 22 fish stocks, commercial and recreational fishing rules, customary Māori fishing, aquaculture, and fisheries science and monitoring.
• Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service Unit overseeing the forestry sector including commercial forestry, native forests, forest protection, and forestry participation in the Emissions Trading Scheme.
• Agriculture and Investment Services Division providing agricultural regulation and investment services covering dairy farming, poultry and eggs, beekeeping, organic products, and agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines (ACVM).
• He Taurikura – Māori Partnerships and Investment Division supporting Māori agribusiness funding, rural support services, iwi fisheries forums, and customary fisheries partnerships across the primary sector.
• On-Board Camera System (Digital Monitoring of Commercial Fishing) Government-installed electronic monitoring cameras deployed on up to 300 commercial fishing vessels to independently verify fishing catch, monitor interactions with protected species, and ensure compliance with fisheries regulations. Cameras, active/standby switches, on-board display, and Yellow Fin servers transmit encrypted data via Spark's mobile network.
• Fisheries Observer Services Field service deploying fisheries observers on commercial fishing vessels to independently verify catch data, collect biological information for stock assessments, and monitor protected species interactions. Deepwater fleet observer coverage reached 49% of catch in the 2024-25 fishing year.
• New Zealand Grass-Fed Administrative Standards Government-administered voluntary standards defining 'grass-fed' for New Zealand dairy and red meat products, with options for MPI recognition and Grass-Fed FernMark logo licensing through New Zealand Story.
• Fisheries Management Learning Module Self-paced 13-topic educational module supporting tangata whenua in understanding fisheries management, the Quota Management System, and customary fishing tools.

Quantifiable outcome

• Responsible Dairy programme targets: 20% growth in milksolids, 20% reduction in nitrogen leaching per hectare, 60% increase in riparian planting, 50% increase in protected wetland areas by 2050
• +2 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• MFAT (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 2026MPI coordinating with MFAT to respond to broader trade impacts from the Middle East conflict involving Iran that began on 28 February 2026. MFAT involved in providing trade diplomatic support for exporters.
• MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 2026MPI working closely with MBIE to monitor fuel supplies and fertiliser availability and prices during Middle East conflict. MBIE activated a 4-phase fuel management framework and reporting that fuel supplies remain sufficient.
• NZTE (New Zealand Trade and Enterprise)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 2026MPI coordinating with NZTE to provide practical support for food and fibre sector exporters dealing with trade disruptions from the Middle East conflict.
• Health New ZealandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRural Wellbeing Fund of $4 million over four years (2025-2029) jointly funded by MPI and Health New Zealand to support wellbeing programmes for rural communities.
• DOC (Department of Conservation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMPI works with DOC to manage effects of fishing on protected species including Hector's and Māui dolphins, sea lions, seabirds, and sharks. Jointly runs seadays plan for fisheries observers and Conservation Services Programme.
• DairyNZcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDairyNZ leading the Responsible Dairy programme, a seven-year $45.85 million project to address dairy sector productivity plateau since 2015. MPI participating alongside DairyNZ and multiple industry partners.
• Craigmore SustainablessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDairy company participating in the Responsible Dairy programme alongside MPI and DairyNZ.
• Dairy HoldingssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDairy company participating in the Responsible Dairy programme alongside MPI and DairyNZ.
• PāmusupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-owned enterprise and dairy company participating in the Responsible Dairy programme alongside MPI and DairyNZ.
• Fertiliser Association of New ZealandsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural business participating in the Responsible Dairy programme alongside MPI and DairyNZ.
• RabobanksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial institution participating in the Responsible Dairy programme alongside MPI and DairyNZ.
• HaltersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural technology company participating in the Responsible Dairy programme alongside MPI and DairyNZ.
• GallaghersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural technology company participating in the Responsible Dairy programme alongside MPI and DairyNZ.
• IAB New ZealandsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerIAB New Zealand launched Wellington Industry Council with MPI co-chairing the council alongside MBM Wellington. First regional council organized by geography rather than practice area, bringing together 16 founding members from government, media, agencies, and technology.
• Seafood New ZealandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry body representing fishers welcoming the sustainability review process as demonstrating the Quota Management System working as intended. Expressing concerns about proposed TACC reductions and their impact on coastal communities.
• Iwi Fisheries ForumscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMPI works with iwi fisheries forums for fisheries management including protected species work, customary fishing management, and mātaitai reserve applications. Ngā Hapū o Te Uru o Tainui Customary Fisheries Forum has a management plan 2025-2030.
• Wairewa Rūnanga (Kāti Irakehu and Kāti Makō)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWairewa Rūnanga applied for 2 mātaitai reserves at Banks Peninsula, Canterbury. Working with Fisheries New Zealand to hold community consultations on the applications for Te Kaio Mātaitai Reserve extension and Māhērua Mātaitai Reserve.
• Spark Business GroupcoreTechnology or IntegrationEngaged by Fisheries New Zealand to provide on-board camera technology, cameras, software, and transmission process for up to 300 commercial fishing vessels. Spark's installer (Aimex) carries out installations.
• AimexsupportingTechnology or IntegrationMarine engineering company engaged as Spark's installer for on-board camera system installations on commercial fishing vessels.
• QCONZsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent assessment body providing evidence verification for grass-fed certification schemes and other compliance assessments required by MPI.
• AsureQualitysupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent assessment body providing evidence verification for grass-fed certification schemes and other compliance assessments required by MPI.
• New Zealand StorysupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdministers the FernMark Licence Programme including Grass-Fed FernMark logo licensing. MPI provides input on grass-fed eligibility criteria review process. FernMark signals authentic connection to New Zealand and is backed by New Zealand's country brand.

Scale indicators7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• European Commission DG AGRI: EU directorate-general for Agriculture and Rural Development managing CAP, market measures, and rural development policy across member states. Comparable broad-incumbent regulator operating at supranational scale rather than the nation-state level of MPI.
• USDA (United States Department of Agriculture): The US federal department regulating agriculture, food safety (via FSIS), forestry (via US Forest Service), and rural development. Direct functional analogue to MPI with a much broader federal portfolio covering similar biosecurity, food, and forestry mandates.
• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations): UN specialised agency leading international efforts to defeat hunger across agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and food safety. Comparable thematic remit (food, agriculture, forestry, fisheries) but operating globally rather than at the national regulator level.

Direct peers

• European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): EU agency providing scientific advice and risk assessment for food and feed safety, nutrition, and animal health. Comparable to New Zealand Food Safety's regulatory science and standards-setting functions.
• Singapore Food Agency (SFA): Singapore's national agency overseeing food safety, food security, and sustainable fisheries. Strong functional match for MPI's combined food safety + fisheries + biosecurity at import-border remit, albeit at much smaller scale.
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA): Canada's federal agency enforcing food safety, animal health, plant protection, and agricultural inputs. Closest analogue to MPI's Biosecurity NZ and New Zealand Food Safety divisions with a similar national-regulator mandate.
• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia): Australian federal department with portfolio spanning agriculture, fisheries, forestry, food safety, biosecurity, and rural support. Shares the exact three-pillar scope (agriculture, fisheries, forestry) with MPI and operates under similar biosecurity-driven mandates.
• DEFRA (UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs): UK national department overseeing food and farming, fisheries, biosecurity, animal welfare, rural affairs, and environmental protection. The closest functional peer to MPI given the combined food, farming, fisheries, and rural wellbeing remit.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MPI_NZ
• Facebookfacebook.com/MPIgovtnz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments4 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ministry for Primary Industries