Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries
Background information about MPI Trade Certification
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is consulting on how we recover costs for the new integrated Trade Certification system. This platform will conduct electronic certification for over $33 billion in certified exports each year.
This system is critical to keep New Zealand’s primary exports moving across borders: it provides the official government-to-government assurances required by overseas markets. These assurances confirm that exported goods meet the requirements of importing countries. They are essential for maintaining and expanding market access.
New Zealand’s current certification systems are ageing, fragmented, and increasingly expensive to maintain. They limit our ability to respond to changing market requirements and meet international expectations.
The investment in MPI Trade Certification will:
- replace current legacy systems with a single, modern platform
- improve efficiency and reduce manual processes
- enable paperless trade and faster border clearance
- support New Zealand’s competitiveness in global markets.
More information on the investment, benefits, and long-term value of the system are in the 2022 business case.
MPI Trade Certification business case [PDF, 6.6 MB]
MPI Trade Certification supports these government initiatives:
Cost recovery proposals – have your say
We are seeking input on the proposed cost recovery options for MPI Trade Certification. Your feedback will help shape final decisions on how costs are allocated and recovered. This will ensure the final fee structure is fair, reflects how the system is used, and supports long-term sustainability.
We propose 2 options.
Option 1: Sector-specific allocation
Costs are split based on system usage and sector-specific features. Fees vary by sector.
Option 2: Flat fee (MPI preferred)
A single fee is applied to all certificates and documents issued, regardless of sector. This option is preferred, as it is simpler, more equitable, and reflects actual usage.
More detail on these proposals, including the proposed new fee structures for animal products, wine, and phytosanitary (plant) products, is available in the consultation document.
This consultation opened on 24 October we’re accepting submissions until 11.59pm on 5 December 2025.
Consultation document
MPI Trade Certification cost recovery options and what they mean for your sector [PDF, 832 KB]
Making your submission
Submit your feedback on the proposals by 11.59pm on 5 December 2025.
You can use the online form, or email or post your feedback using the submission template.
Online submission form – Survey Monkey
Email us your submission
If you are emailing or posting your submission, we encourage you to use our consultation template [DOCX, 753 KB]
Email your submission to costrecovery@mpi.govt.nz
Post your submission
While we prefer online or email submissions, you can post written submissions to:
Cost recovery consultation
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6011
New Zealand.
What to include
Make sure you include in your submission:
- the title of the consultation document
- your name and title
- your organisation’s name (if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation, and whether your submission represents the whole organisation or a section of it)
- your contact details (such as phone number, address, and email).
Submissions are public information
Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.
People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.
If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.
