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Hengan International’s MSCI ESG Rating Elevates to “A”, Coupled with Continued Impressive Performance Across Multiple Key International ESG Indicators

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MIL OSI
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Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 September 2025 – Hengan International Group Company Limited (“Hengan International” or the “Company”, SEHK stock code: 1044, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”) is pleased to announce that in the recently released 2025 Environmental, Social, and Governance (“ESG”) ratings by the leading global index provider MSCI, Hengan International’s rating has elevated from “BBB” to “A”, ranking first in China’s household and personal products industry. This highlights the Group’s impressive performance in sustainable development and the strong international recognition it has garnered.

The MSCI ESG rating is a global authoritative assessment system widely adopted by institutional investors. It annually conducts a comprehensive evaluation of listed companies included in its indices from the three dimensions of environment, social, and governance, aiming to measure enterprises’ ability to manage long-term ESG risks. The rating is regarded not only as an authoritative reference indicator in the international capital markets, but also as an important tool for companies to enhance international recognition and optimize financing capabilities.

Hengan International’s MSCI ESG rating has steadily improved in recent years, showing continuous positive performance. The 2025 rating results demonstrate that the Group significantly increased its scores on issues such as product carbon footprint, raw material sourcing, and chemical safety, all exceeding the industry average levels, fully reflecting the Company’s excellence across multiple ESG dimensions.

As one of the Group’s three core strategies, Hengan International practices responsibility with the pursuit of “long-termism”, disclosing ESG Report for nine consecutive years and Climate-related Disclosure Report for three consecutive years, demonstrating its commitment and achievements in sustainable development through transparent public disclosures. In 2024, the Group launched the “GROWTH” ESG strategic framework, focusing on six core areas: Governance & Ethical Practices, Resource Conservation & Efficiency, Outstanding Customer Care, Workforce Wellbeing & Empowerment, Trusted Partnerships, and Health & Community Engagement, laying a solid foundation for its long-term vision of “achieving 100 billion in 100 years”.

In 2025, Hengan International has boasted impressive performance across various prestigious international ESG indicators. At the end of August, S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) announced the Group’s latest 2025 evaluation results, with its score climbing from 56 in 2024 to 62. By September 2025, the Group’s score far exceeded the industry average of 32, outperforming 91% of its peers and ranking 9th globally.

Additionally, the Group has maintained an “A” rating in the Hang Seng ESG Rating released in September and has been included in the “Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Benchmark Index” for two consecutive years as the only selected candidate in China’s household paper and maternal and child hygiene products industry in 2025. Furthermore, the Group has been listed for three consecutive years in the S&P Global “Sustainability Yearbook (China Edition)” and recognized as the “Industry Mover”, becoming a benchmark enterprise for ESG development in the household products industry.

In 2025, Hengan International’s MSCI ESG rating elevated to “A,” coupled with continuous breakthroughs across multiple ESG indicators, reflecting strong recognition from multiple international authoritative institutions. Looking forward, underpinned by the “GROWTH” strategy, the Group will deepen the integration and innovation of ESG and business development, achieving breakthroughs in key areas of environment, social, and governance, and striving to become a leading benchmark for sustainability in the industry.

Hashtag: #HenganInternational

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Remarkable reduction in youth offending

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Source: New Zealand Government

A ‘tough but fair’ approach, and greater unity across both our communities and government, is keeping people and property safer. 

Minister for Children Karen Chhour has confirmed a strong reduction in children and young people with serious and persistent offending behaviour dropping month-on-month since June 2024, a remarkable turnaround for what was once a national crisis. 

“As I tour the country, I am consistently hearing that communities are feeling safer. 

We promised to fix what matters to New Zealanders. We had been told that people felt unsafe, and that young people were going down the wrong path and harming their communities and their futures. 

This significant reduction in serious and persistent youth offending is just one example of how we’re fixing what matters. 

Community leaders are confirming to me that they are seeing the results on the ground, with young offenders no longer feeling above the law. 

Ram raids are down significantly. Kiwis are no longer being expected to live in fear that our cars have been stolen used by young offenders in a ram raid of our local small businesses.

Repeat offending has also decreased, with innovative initiatives like the Military-Style Academies and greater collaboration between Oranga Tamariki and Police getting results.”

The number of serious and persistent child and youth offenders is 14.6 percent lower than in June 2023, with current trends pointing to this continuing towards achieving Government Target Three several years before the target date.  

“I have also been informed that repeat young offenders are avoiding re-offending because they know Courts, Oranga Tamariki, and Police are working together more closely. They no longer believe they can avoid accountability and that their actions won’t have consequences.

We are investing in a number of safety and quality improvements to the facilities at youth justice residences, as well as greater investment in transitional support for young serious offenders. 

These investments from Budget 2025 will reduce both re-offending and the number of young people being held in police custody for an extended period of time. 

The reality is that there are times when that is the most appropriate place for them to be. I do not apologise for that. 

I hope these young offenders turn their lives around, and they are provided with opportunities to do so, but the safety of the community and victims is our highest priority,” Mrs Chhour says.     

MIL OSI

Nurse-led cystoscopy clinics delivering timely cancer care in Dunedin

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Source: New Zealand Government

A new nurse-led cystoscopy service at Dunedin Hospital is helping bladder cancer patients receive their essential follow-up care on time, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“Bladder cancer requires lifelong, regular monitoring. Timely access to surveillance cystoscopies makes a real difference for patients and their families,” Mr Brown says.

“Two highly skilled nurses are now running a weekly flexible cystoscopy clinic, carrying out surveillance procedures that keep patients on track with their care while easing pressure on specialists. 

“Since the service began in November 2024, 290 patients have been seen, with all 150 patients on the planned surveillance programme receiving their cystoscopy on time. The nurses are now completing 10 to 15 follow-ups every week.”

Around 65 per cent of Dunedin’s current follow-up cystoscopy patients are suitable for the nurse-led service. Without this change, many patients would have been overdue, and additional specialist sessions would have been needed at locum rates.

Mr Brown says the model is not only improving access for patients but also making smarter use of the workforce.

“This is a fantastic example of innovation in our health system. It ensures patients are seen when they need to be, while also freeing up specialist doctors to focus on first specialist assessments and more complex procedures. That’s a win for patients and for the wider hospital system.

“It will also play an important role in achieving our faster cancer treatment target, by helping patients get the right tests sooner and enabling treatment to begin without unnecessary delay.”

Similar nurse-led models are already in place at Counties Manukau and Waitematā, where nurse practitioners provide both diagnostic and surveillance cystoscopies.

“This initiative shows the value of empowering our skilled nursing workforce. By making better use of their expertise, we are improving access to care, supporting our specialists, and making sure patients receive timely, quality treatment,” Mr Brown says. 

MIL OSI

Promoting resilience and insurance ties in London

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Source: New Zealand Government

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson travels to London this week to strengthen New Zealand’s international partnerships in insurance, emergency preparedness, and business competition.

“Resilience and disaster recovery are central priorities for this Government. My visit to London is an opportunity to promote New Zealand’s leadership in these areas, and to build stronger ties with global partners who share our challenges and ambitions,” Mr Simpson says.

The Minister will attend meetings involving the Insurance Council of New Zealand, including with Aon, Lloyd’s of London, and the UK Competition and Markets Authority.

Mr Simpson will also receive a detailed briefing from officials at the New Zealand High Commission, and take part in a series of events reflecting the breadth of New Zealand’s relationship with the United Kingdom.

This includes attending the 85th Anniversary Battle of Britain Service and Reception and supporting the Black Ferns in their Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against Canada.

Minister Simpson will be in London from 17–21 September.

MIL OSI

Flare requirements: what you need to know

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Source: Maritime New Zealand

We’ve received a few queries about the use of LED flares on commercial vessels, prompted by the circulation of some incorrect information.

Maritime NZ continues to apply the existing standards – there have been no recent changes to the regulations on flares.

What the current maritime rules say:

  • Commercial vessels are required to carry traditional pyrotechnic flares, unless the operator holds a specific exemption.
  • These requirements are set out in Maritime Rule 42A.23 and the relevant Part 40 tables for life-saving appliances.
  • Pleasure craft may carry LED flares, as the regulations do not prescribe performance standards or carriage requirements for these vessels.

For more information on distress flares see this webpage.

If you’re unsure what applies to your vessel, our team is happy to help – just get in touch.

MIL OSI

Minister must back online safety bill to protect Kiwi kids from online predators after reckless cuts – PSA

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Source: PSA

The Minister responsible for online safety must support Labour MP Reuben Davidson’s Online Safety members’ bill launched today if she’s serious about protecting children from online predators and extreme content.
“New Zealanders, including our kids, should be able to go online without being exposed to extreme and harmful material,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“Minister van Velden slashed funding and jobs for the very public workers at DIA’s Digital Safety Team who are working hard to keep kids safe from online predators and other bad actors.
“Now she has a chance to show she actually cares about protecting children by supporting legislation that makes digital platform companies step up and do their part.
“It’s time for the Government to stop expecting our public servants to do more with less and instead make the companies running these platforms take responsibility for the harmful content they host.
“These are the dedicated public servants the Government has been cutting while the problem gets worse. The evidence is clear – online harm is rising and becoming more sophisticated with the explosion of AI.”
DIA told the Minister in November 2023 its Digital Child Exploitation Filtering System had blocked 4.6 million views of child exploitation in the last five years. The Department received 238,000 reports of potential scams to their 7726 service in 2022/23 – that’s ninety times more than in 2019/20.
“The Government promised evidence-based policies,” said Fitzsimons. “Well, the evidence is clear. If Minister van Velden genuinely wants to keep our kids safe from online predators and violence, she will support this bill instead of leaving overstretched public workers to fight this battle with one hand tied behind their backs.
“The Government’s priorities are all wrong – cutting the very services that protect New Zealanders while expecting the same outcomes. It’s another short-sighted decision that puts our children at risk.”
Background: Online Safety (Duties for Providers of Internet-Based Services) Bill. The bill can be downloaded at this link.
PSA statements on DIA cuts to digital safety team

MIL OSI

Review of sustainability measures for fisheries – October 2025 round

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Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Updates 

23 July 2025 – Consultation extended a week

Fisheries New Zealand has received requests from some submitters seeking an extension to the closing date for this consultation. We want to ensure adequate time is provided for everyone who has an interest in the review of these stocks to thoroughly consider the proposed options. We will now accept submissions until 5pm on 30 July 2025.

July 2025 – Proposed changes for orange roughy (ORH 3B) and blue mackerel (EMA 1)

Fisheries New Zealand is also proposing changes to sustainability measures for orange roughy (ORH 3B) and blue mackerel (EMA 1) for the 2025/26 fishing year. Details of these proposals can be found on a separate web page:

Review of sustainability measures for orange roughy (ORH 3B) and blue mackerel (EMA 1) – 2025 October round

Note that submissions on ORH 3B and EMA 1 now close at 5pm on 30 July 2025.

About this consultation

Fisheries New Zealand reviews catch limits for selected stocks twice a year. This is consistent with the purpose of the Fisheries Act 1996 to allow for sustainable utilisation.

We’re seeking feedback on proposed changes to sustainability measures for a range of fish stocks as part of the October 2025 sustainability round.

Fisheries New Zealand is currently reviewing catch limits and allowances for:

  • Anchovy (ANC 1), Garfish (GAR 1), Sprat (SPR 1), Yellow-eyed mullet (YEM 1) – Hauraki Gulf, Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty
  • Jack mackerel (JMA 1) – East Coast North Island
  • Smooth skate (SSK 1) – Auckland, Northland, Bay of Plenty, West Coast North Island
  • Blue cod (BCO 8) – Taranaki, West Coast of Wellington
  • Paua (PAU 2) – East Cape, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki & Wellington
  • Paua (PAU 5A) – Fiordland
  • Rough skate (RSK 3) – East Coast South Island
  • Rig (SPO7) and Snapper (SNA 7) – West Coast and top of the South Island
  • Green-lipped mussel (GLM 7), Horse mussel (HOR 7), and Oyster (OYS 7) – Top of the South Island
  • Blue cod (BCO 3) – East Coast South Island
  • Blue cod (BCO 5) – Southland
  • Blue mackerel (EMA 7) – West Coast North Island, West Coast South Island
  • Gemfish (SKI 3 & 7) – South Island, Chatham Islands, West Coast off Taranaki & Wellington
  • Silver warehou (SWA 3 & 4) – East Coast South Island, Southland, Chatham Islands, Sub-Antarctic
  • Leatherjacket (LEA 1), Frostfish FRO 1), Alfonsino (BYX 7), Dark ghost shark (GSH 7), Redbait (RBT 3) – East and West Coasts of Auckland, Northland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty, West Coast and top of the South Island (inshore and offshore), East Coast South Island (offshore)

We are also reviewing deemed value rates for:

  • Snapper (SNA 7) – West Coast and top of the South Island
  • Blue mackerel (EMA 7) – West Coast North and South Island
  • Rig (SPO 7 & 8) – West Coast and top of the South Island, West Coast off Taranaki & Wellington
  • Blue cod (BCO 3) – East Coast South Island
  • Gemfish (SKI 3 & 7) – South Islands, Chatham Islands, West Coast off Taranaki, Wellington
  • School shark (SCH 5) – Southland and Sub-Antarctic

Fisheries New Zealand is also reviewing sustainability measures for Orange roughy (ORH 3B) and blue mackerel (EMA 1) as a part of this sustainability round. Consultation on the proposed changes for these stocks is expected to begin by the end of June.

Have your say

We invite feedback from tangata whenua, stakeholders, and the public on the proposals.

All of the proposals in this round were assessed:

  • in the context of the relevant statutory requirements
  • using the best available information, including the latest scientific information on the status of the stocks and tangata whenua and stakeholder input.

Full details are provided in the consultation documents. This web page also has a summary of the proposals.

The closing time and date for submissions on all proposals is 5pm on 30 July 2025.

Summary of the proposals and consultation documents

Species

Stock/area

Proposal

Consultation document

Anchovy, Garfish, Sprat and Yellow-eyed mullet

ANC 1

TAC ↓

Review of sustainability measures for anchovy (ANC 1), garfish (GAR 1), yellow-eyed mullet (YEM 1), and sprat (SPR 1) for 2025/26 [PDF, 1.5 MB]

GAR 1

TAC ↓

SPR 1

TAC ↓

YEM 1

TAC ↑

Jack mackerel

JMA 1

TAC ↓

Review of sustainability measures for jack mackerel (JMA 1) for 2025/26 [PDF, 1.2 MB]

Smooth skate

SSK 1

TAC ↑

Review of sustainability measures for smooth skate (SSK 1) for 2025/26 [PDF, 1.1 MB]

Blue cod

BCO 8

TAC ↓, Recreational changes

Review of sustainability measures for blue cod (BCO 8) for 2025/26 [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Pāua

PAU 2

TAC ↓

Review of sustainability measures for pāua (PAU 2) for 2025/26 [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Pāua

PAU 5A

TAC ↓

Review of sustainability measures for pāua (PAU 5A) for 2025/26 [PDF, 1.6 MB]

Rough skate

RSK 3

TAC ↓

Review of sustainability measures for rough skate (RSK 3) for 2025/26 [PDF, 1.3 MB]

Rig and Snapper

SPO 7

TAC ↑

Review of sustainability measures for rig (SPO 7) and snapper (SNA 7) for 2025/26 [PDF, 1.6 MB]

SNA 7

TAC ↑

Green-lipped mussels, Horse mussels, and Dredge oysters

GLM 7A

TAC ↓

Review of sustainability measures for green-lipped mussels (GLM 7A), horse mussels (HOR 7), and dredge oysters (OYS 7) for 2025/26 [PDF, 1 MB]

HOR 7

TAC ↓

OYS 7

TAC ↓

Blue cod

BCO 3

TAC ↓ Recreational changes

Review of sustainability measures for blue cod (BCO 3) for 2025/26 [PDF, 1.3 MB]

Blue cod

BCO 5

Recreational changes

Southland recreational blue cod review: Daily limit review and potential measures to improve the health of the BCO 5 fishery [PDF, 1 MB]

Blue mackerel

EMA 7

TAC ↑

Review of sustainability measures for blue mackerel (EMA 7) for 2025/26 [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Gemfish

SKI 3

TAC ↑

Review of sustainability measures for gemfish (SKI 3 and SKI 7) for 2025/26 [PDF, 1.3 MB]

SKI 7

TAC ↑

Silver warehou

SWA 3

TAC ↑

Review of sustainability measures for silver warehou (SWA 3 and SWA 4) for 2025/26 [PDF, 1.3 MB]

SWA 4

TAC ↑

Leatherjacket, Frostfish, Alfonsino, Dark ghost shark and Redbait

LEA 1

TAC ↓

Review of sustainability measures for 5  low-medium knowledge stocks for 2025/26 [PDF, 1.6 MB]

FRO 1

TAC ↓

BYX 7

TAC ↓

GSH 7

TAC ↓

RBT 3

TAC ↑

Snapper, School shark, Rig, Blue cod, Blue mackerel and Gemfish

SNA 7

DVs ↓

Review of deemed value rates for selected stocks for 2025/26 [PDF, 2.3 MB]

SCH 5

DVs ↓

SPO 7, SPO 8

DVs ↑

BCO 3

DVs ↑

EMA 7

DVs ↓

SKI 3, SKI 7

DVs ↓

Supporting document

Information on the interpretation and application of the statutory considerations relevant to TAC decisions is in the Legal Appendix.

Legal Appendix: Overview of legislative requirements and other considerations in relation to sustainability measures, October 2025 round [PDF, 389 KB]

Making your submission

Fisheries New Zealand invites you to email your feedback on the proposals by 5pm on 30 July 2025 to FMsubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

A template is available to help you complete your submission.

Submission form template [DOCX, 78 KB]

While we prefer email, you can post written submissions to:

2025 Sustainability Review
Fisheries Management
Fisheries New Zealand
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand.

What to include

Make sure you tell us 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).

Related information

Fisheries Act 1996 – NZ Legislation

Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act 2000 – NZ Legislation

About the Quota Management System (QMS)

The Harvest Strategy Standard [PDF, 240KB]

Operational Guidelines for New Zealand’s Harvest Strategy Standard [PDF, 843 KB]

The Deemed Values Guidelines [PDF, 896 KB]

Glossary of relevant terms

National Fisheries Plan for deepwater and middle-depth fisheries [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Regional plan provisions and policy statements [PDF, 324 KB]

Fisheries Infosite

Fisheries Assessment Plenary

National Inshore Finfish Fisheries Plan [PDF, 10 MB]

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.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

MIL OSI

GAZA: Leaders of major aid groups call on world leaders to intervene following UN genocide conclusion – Save the Children

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Source: Save the Children

GAZA, 17 Sept 2025: The leaders of over 20 major aid agencies working in Gaza are calling for urgent intervention after a UN commission concluded, for the first time, that genocide is being committed.
The statement is below:
“ As world leaders convene next week at the United Nations, we are calling on all member states to act in accordance with the mandate the UN was charged with 80 years ago.
What we are witnessing in Gaza is not only an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, but what the UN Commission of Inquiry has now concluded is a genocide. With this finding, the Commission joins a growing number of human rights organisations and leaders globally, and within Israel.
The inhumanity of the situation in Gaza is unconscionable. As humanitarian leaders, we have borne direct witness to the horrifying deaths and suffering of the people of Gaza. Our warnings have gone unheeded and thousands more lives are still at stake.
Now, as the Israeli government has ordered the mass displacement of Gaza City – home to nearly one million people – we are on the precipice of an even deadlier period in Gaza’s story if action is not taken. Gaza has been deliberately made uninhabitable.
About 65,000 Palestinians have now been killed, including more than 20,000 children. Thousands more are missing, buried under the rubble that has replaced Gaza’s once lively streets.
Nine out of 10 people in Gaza’s 2.1 million population have been forcibly displaced – most of them multiple times – into increasingly shrinking pockets of land that cannot sustain human life.
More than half a million people are starving. Famine has been declared and is spreading. The cumulative impact of hunger and physical deprivation means people are dying every day.
Throughout Gaza, entire cities have been razed to the ground, along with their life-sustaining public infrastructure, such as hospitals and water treatment plants. Agricultural land has been systemically destroyed.
If the facts and numbers aren’t enough, we have harrowing story upon harrowing story.
Since the Israeli military tightened its siege six months ago, blocking food, fuel, and medicine, we witnessed children and families waste away from starvation as famine took hold. Our colleagues too have been impacted.
Many of us have been into Gaza. We have met countless Palestinians who have lost limbs as a result of Israel’s bombardment. We have personally met children so traumatized by daily airstrikes that they cannot sleep. Some cannot speak. Others have told us they want to die to join their parents in heaven.
We have met families who eat animal food to survive and boil leaves as a meal for their children.
Yet world leaders fail to act. Facts are ignored. Testimony is cast aside. And more people are killed as a direct consequence.
Our organisations, together with Palestinian civil society groups, the UN, and Israeli human rights organisations, can only do so much. We have tirelessly tried to defend the rights of the people of Gaza and sustain humanitarian assistance, but we are being obstructed every step of the way.
We have been denied access, and the militarization of the aid system has proved deadly. Thousands of people have been shot at while trying to reach the handful of sites where food is distributed under armed guard.
Governments must act to prevent the evisceration of life in the Gaza Strip, and to end the violence and occupation. All parties must disavow violence against civilians, adhere to international humanitarian law and pursue peace.
States must use every available political, economic, and legal tool at their disposal to intervene. Rhetoric and half measures are not enough. This moment demands decisive action.
The UN enshrined international law as the cornerstone of global peace and security. If Member States continue to treat these legal obligations as optional, they are not only complicit but are setting a dangerous precedent for the future. History will undoubtedly judge this moment as a test of humanity. And we are failing. Failing the people of Gaza, failing the hostages, and failing our own collective moral imperative.”
CEO Signatories:
Arthur Larok, Secretary General of ActionAid International
Othman Moqbel, Chief Executive Officer, Action For Humanity
Joyce Ajlouny, General Secretary of American Friends Service Committee
Sean Carroll, President and CEO of Anera
Reintje Van Haeringen, Executive Director CARE International
Jonas Nøddekær, Secretary General of DanChurchAid
Charlotte Slente, Secretary General of the Danish Refugee Council
Manuel Patrouillard, Managing Director, Humanity & Inclusion – Handicap International
Jamie Munn, Executive Director, International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA)
Waseem Ahmad, CEO, Islamic Relief Worldwide
Joseph Belliveau, Executive Director of MedGlobal
Joel Weiler, Executive Director of Médecins du Monde France
Nicolás Dotta, Executive Director of Médecins du Monde Spain
Christopher Lockyear, Secretary General of Médecins Sans Frontières International
Kenneth Kim, Executive Director, Mennonite Central Committee Canada
Ann Graber Hershberger, Executive Director, Mennonite Central Committee US
Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council
Amitabh Behar, Oxfam International Executive Director
Simon Panek, CEO, People in Need
Inger Ashing, CEO of Save the Children International
Donatella Vergara, President of Terre des Hommes Italy
Rob Williams, CEO of War Child Alliance.

MIL OSI

Government takes action on Bird Flu preparedness plan

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Source: New Zealand Government

New proposals for a long-term approach to manage high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, commonly known as Bird flu, aim to reduce the impacts on poultry if the virus arrives here, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.

“This virus is spreading rapidly across the world. If it arrives here, it will almost certainly establish itself in wild birds and could spread to poultry and other wildlife.”

“That could mean shortages of chicken and eggs for Kiwi families, serious animal welfare issues, and costs for farmers and growers. Our focus is on protecting people’s livelihoods and keeping food on the table.”

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is leading work to prepare for the possible arrival of HPAI H5N1, along with the Department of Conservation, the Ministry of Health, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, the poultry industry and local government.

Consultation opens today on proposals to manage HPAI H5N1 in poultry, including:

•    a requirement for commercial poultry operators to have an avian biosecurity control programme in place that sets out how their business will prevent and manage a potential H5N1 outbreak 
•    a requirement for poultry operators/owners to meet appropriate biosecurity standards, including standards for activities such as depopulation, disposal, cleaning and disinfection
•    a requirement for operators/owners to keep records and provide information when required 
•    a requirement that avian biosecurity programmes be audited to ensure they are fit for purpose
•    establishing offences and penalties (fines) for those who do not comply with the regulations.

“Since it emerged in 2020, the virus has spread across the globe except to Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. Our efforts so far have paid off, we need to keep it that way.”

“We need a long-term approach to managing the disease that incentivises good biosecurity practices and early reporting of infection, protects human health and the domestic food supply, and provides for consistent standards across the industry.”

Some of the proposed regulations could also apply to semi-commercial poultry operators and non-commercial poultry owners – people who keep poultry but not as a main source of income. For example, these poultry owners could be required to use specific disposal or cleaning methods and provide information to MPI if their birds get sick.

“We know these proposals are likely to involve costs and other impacts for commercial poultry operators. We want to hear from farmers and growers about how the proposals could affect their businesses, so we can understand the impact of these costs.”

“By working together now we can reduce the risks of bird flu preventing food shortages, affecting people’s livelihoods, and endangering health outcomes. This is your chance to help make sure New Zealand is ready.”

Consultation will run for six weeks from 17 September 2025 to 2 November 2025.     

Discussion documents and information on how to make a submission are on MPI’s website here.
 

MIL OSI

Cost recovery proposals under the Organic Products and Production Act 2023

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Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Updates

15 July 2025 – Closing extended

The consultation has now been extended for another 4 weeks. This will now close on 10 August 2025.

10 June 2025 – Registrations open for webinars or drop-in sessions

We have set up 3 webinars or drop-in sessions to support the public consultation process for the organic sector, providing a forum to answer any questions. The webinar times are provided below. You can register by clicking on the link of your preferred time. (The registration links are to a booking system using ‘Microsoft Teams’).

Monday 16 June 2025 – 3.30pm to 5.30pm

Tuesday 17 June 2025 – 12pm to 2pm

Tuesday 24 June 2025 – 8.30am to 10am

6 June 2025 – Discussion document updated

The following corrections have been made to the table in section 11.1.2 of the discussion document:

  • added definition of terms for [d] (page 24), previously missing from table
  • corrected labelling of definition of terms for [j] and [k] (page 26), previously mislabelled as [e] and [f].

See the discussion document

Background information: summary

In 2023, Parliament passed the Organic Products and Production Act 2023 (the Act) to regulate organic claims in New Zealand. The Act sets the requirements for making an organic claim and enables the development of secondary legislation to regulate how organic products are made in New Zealand. The new regulatory system is intended to provide consumer confidence in the claims made by New Zealand producers of organic products, and confidence and certainty in the trade of organic products for New Zealand businesses and our trading partners. It will also form the basis of negotiations to gain access to other markets for New Zealand’s organic produce.

To fund the system, MPI must recover costs not covered by the Crown. We anticipate cost recovery for some businesses will begin in mid-2026 to ensure that we can bring operators into the system within the timeframes required to maintain access to the European Union (EU) and Switzerland for organic products.

The services discussed in the consultation document have been identified as necessary to administer the Act with an appropriate level of oversight. We seek your views on whether you think the range and level of services are appropriate (the right type and size), and if the charging mechanism is appropriate, for example the fee or levy. The proposed fees would apply to direct services, while levies would fund broader sector benefits.

Have your say

We are seeking your input on the cost recovery proposals for services that include:

  • approval (certification)
  • oversight, support, and monitoring services for the standard
  • work to facilitate the export of organic products.

The proposals affect all businesses which make organic claims about food, beverages, and plant and animal products.

Full details are in the consultation document.

You can send us your submission by 10 August 2025.

Consultation document

Proposal to cost recover New Zealand Food Safety’s regulatory services under the Organic Products and Production Act 2023 [PDF, 2.9 MB]

Related document

This information was originally published in 2023 and detailed the organic regulation requirements agreed to by Cabinet. There have been minor tweaks to the information to better reflect progress on developing the National Organic Standard and process regulations.

Information sheet A3 [PDF, 540 KB]

Making your submission

We must get your submission by 5pm on 10 August 2025.

We seek to understand your views on the nature and benefits of the services discussed in the consultation document, the cost of the services, and how they are proposed to be funded (and by whom).

We prefer you to use our online form but you can also email or post your feedback. 

Online submission – SurveyMonkey

Email

organicsconsultation@mpi.govt.nz

Post

Cost Recovery Directorate
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

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.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

MIL OSI

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