The Government is trialling a new artificial intelligence tool aimed at speeding up the development of New Zealand’s import health standards while maintaining existing biosecurity protections.
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said the technology is being tested as part of a broader programme to modernise the system used to assess biosecurity risks for imported plant, animal and biological products.
A four-month pilot is underway to determine whether generative AI can assist with the document-intensive work involved in preparing import health standards. Hoggard said the tool is intended to support, rather than replace, Biosecurity New Zealand experts, with all key decisions continuing to be made by specialist staff.
The Government says the trial will evaluate whether AI can produce high-quality, evidence-based standards more consistently while reducing the administrative workload and allowing officials to process applications more efficiently.
The AI project forms part of a wider reform of New Zealand’s import health system, including changes to the live plant import process designed to improve access to new plant genetics for farmers and growers. The Government says the reforms are intended to reduce unnecessary regulatory barriers, support productivity and help lift returns across the food and fibre sector, which is forecast to generate $64.3 billion in export revenue in the year ending 30 June 2026.
Hoggard said the goal is to create a faster, more efficient approvals process for imported goods without weakening New Zealand’s biosecurity safeguards.
That sounds like Biosecurity is going to turn to custard.