Growing and protecting New Zealand
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and its business units help grow and protect New Zealand by:
- providing policy advice and programmes that support the sustainable development of New Zealand's primary industries
- being the Government's principal advisers on, and maintaining effective management of, New Zealand's fisheries and aquaculture
- leading New Zealand's biosecurity system
- managing forestry assets for the Crown and leading the One Billion Trees Programme
- working with people and businesses to support everyone involved in the chain of food production to meet food safety standards
- playing a key role in enabling international market access for New Zealand's primary products
- representing the interests of the New Zealand primary sector in international trade policy and standard-setting forums.
Science is critical to MPI
Our 'Science strategy' gives guidance on how we use science to support our work. MPI's vision is that ‘New Zealand will be the world’s most sustainable provider of high-value food and primary products.’
High quality science and science evidence are critical to helping us achieve this. As a major funder, user and generator of science it's important we have a robust and efficient science system. We've developed the Science Strategy to describe our science role, and how we'll use science throughout MPI.
The strategy will provide MPI with strategic direction for:
- planning and prioritising our science needs
- help guide our future investment in science
- help us to monitor how these benefit New Zealand.
It also gives our partners and providers a clear understanding of our science system to support working in partnership.
Download MPI Science Strategy at a glance [PDF, 666 KB]
Download the full Science Strategy [PDF, 3.4 MB]
Doubling the value of exports by 2034
MPI has developed an 8-point plan to grow the success of New Zealand’s food and fibre sector to help meet the Government’s goal of doubling the value of exports by 2034.
Significant growth will be needed to realise this goal. It requires a rise from an average 4.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to 7.2% CAGR.
This growth will require a range of activities to enable businesses to innovate, grow, and trade.
MPI’s 8-point plan focuses on enabling more trade and growing productivity across the range of sectors that make up the food and fibre sector on land and at sea.
Our 8-point plan to help double export value
- Maximising trade opportunities and addressing priority non-tariff barriers.
- Infrastructure development that enables food and fibre export growth.
- Enhancing regulatory systems that are fit for purpose.
- Expand and add value in the Māori food and fibre sector.
- Investment to support food and fibre sector growth.
- Utilising labour and technology for growth in the food and fibre sector.
- Scientific and technology solutions that can be adopted by farmers and growers.
- Initiatives to champion the attributes of New Zealand’s food and fibre products.
Find out more about MPI's work and priorities and primary sector exports
Strategic intentions 2024–2028 [PDF, 6.7 MB]
