New Zealand: Agricultural Biotechnology Annual

In New Zealand, genetically engineered (GE) products are regulated under the 1996 Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO) and administered by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). On October 14, 2023, New Zealand held a general election for government. The election favored a change in government from the previous, who have been in power for the last six years. Prior to the election, the party that received the largest votes – National, released a document outlining its intensions to update the HSNO act. Food Standards Australia New Zealand, the regulatory authority for approving the sale of GE food products in New Zealand, has approved 90 GE food and microbial-derived products to date. These food products could be for direct human consumption or animal feed. All GE foods sold in New Zealand must be labeled. Meat and other products from animals fed GE-derived feed do not require labeling.