Biosecurity
Biosecurity not enough to stop threat to Pohutukawa
There are fears a disease wiping out forests of native trees in Hawaii could do the same to pohutukawa and rata here if biosecurity practices aren't stepped up. Jacob McSweeny reports. Audio
Ministry plans farm testing for cattle disease
Milk on all farms in North Otago and South Canterbury will be tested for the cattle disease mycoplasma bovis, rather than testing milk tankers nationwide, the Ministry for Primary Industries says.
Kiwifruit growers' PSA case against MPI begins
A group of growers is suing the Ministry for Primary Industries for negligence over the vine-killing disease's entry to the country in 2010.
Foot and mouth fears for imported festival mud
The kiwifruit industry is concerned a large quantity of mud being brought into the country from South Korea could be contaminated with foot and mouth disease.
Māori knowledge honoured in biosecurity award win
A Māori biosecurity network has been awarded a top prize at the country's inaugural biosecurity awards.
New cow disease: What we know about the outbreak
Mycoplasma bovis is on many farmers' minds and has the potential to hit dairy and beef sectors in the pocket, but what actually is this disease?
All infected cows on farm hit by disease to be put down
The owner of a South Canterbury farm hit by the devastating cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis says all 150 infected cows will have to be put down. Audio
Parasite not detected in latest tests in Bluff
No Bonamia ostreae parasite has been detected in the latest testing of the Bluff wild oyster fishery.
Court date set for Kiwifruit case against MPI
More than 200 kiwifruit growers whose crops were ruined by the PSA vine disease will get their day in court in August.
Oyster farmer decries $10k in shellfish wasted
A Stewart Island oyster farmer says it's "gut-wrenching" having to dispose of healthy oysters to stop the spread of a deadly parasite to the Bluff fisheries.
MPI faces angry Stewart Island locals over oysters
Cries of "you sat on your hands", and "you haven't done your job properly" ran through the audience as locals confronted MPI officials. Audio
Oyster cull begins to stop parasite's spread
Cranes have started pulling farmed oysters out of the water at Stewart Island, in an effort to stop a fatal parasite infecting Bluff's prized wild fisheries. Audio
Geneticists join the fight against myrtle rust
Geneticists are hoping to discover genes which could protect manuka trees from myrtle rust. 46 cases of myrtle rust have been recorded in Taranaki, Northland and Bay of Plenty with Ministry of Primary… Audio
Myrtle rust found in Bay of Plenty
The plant disease has been confirmed in Te Puke, in the first find outside the main infection area in Taranaki in weeks.
Myrtle rust putting pōhutukawa at dire risk
Officials are warning the iconic pōhutukawa could be one of the worst affected plants and even die off completely as the outbreak spreads. Audio
Bonamia parasite threatening Bluff oyster industry again
The infectious organism is not harmful to people, but could devastate the region's flat oyster industry as it did in the early 1990s and the early 2000s. Audio
Pōhutukawa hedge destroyed as myrtle rust spreads
Myrtle rust is continuing to spread in Taranaki, with the fungal disease found in established pōhutukawa for the first time.
Northland nursery cleared of myrtle rust
The first property found with the potentially devastating plant disease has been cleared to reopen.
Dairy farmers warned of moving day pest risk
Dairy farmers are being warned to be careful not to spread pests and diseases as they move between farms next week.
Myrtle rust: New rules for 50 plant nurseries across NZ
Up to 50 plant nurseries must follow new hygiene rules as the government tries to contain the spread of a deadly disease for pōhutukawa, feijoa and rata.