About the Ministry for Primary Industries
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) helps create export opportunities for our primary industries, improve sector productivity, ensure the food we produce is safe, increase sustainable resource use, and protect New Zealand from biological risk.
Fisheries New Zealand, a business unit of MPI, works to ensure that fisheries resources are managed to provide the greatest overall benefit to New Zealanders. Its focus is the sustainability of New Zealand’s wild fish stocks, aquaculture, and the wider aquatic environment, now and for future generations.
Fisheries New Zealand assesses the effects of coastal permits for new aquaculture space on commercial, customary, and recreational fishing. It does this through the undue adverse effects on fishing test (UAE test). The outcome of the UAE test is called an aquaculture decision. This determines whether a marine farm’s resource consent is confirmed. Following this confirmation, the farm can be established.
Fisheries New Zealand has a role in the Fast-track process
Fisheries New Zealand will assess the impact of a Fast-track application for aquaculture activities in a coastal marine area on fishing. It will provide a recommendation to the panel. This assessment includes a targeted consultation, and this process will take place at the same time the panel invites comments on the substantive application.
The panel is responsible for making an aquaculture decision at the same time it makes a decision on the resource consent for the aquaculture activity.
The Fast-track process guides applicants
You do not need to provide any specific information to support the UAE test as Fisheries New Zealand relies on the information provided in your application. Before you apply, you may want to lodge a pre-request aquaculture agreement with MPI.
If you make a Fast-track application, the Fast-track team and the application process will guide your work with MPI. The Fast-track team will help applicants connect with the right people at MPI.