Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Biosecurity Act 1993

Importation of risk goods - Inspections, declarations, etc

35: Duties of persons in biosecurity control areas

You could also call this:

"What to do if you're in a biosecurity control area: answer questions and show ID honestly"

If you are in a biosecurity control area, you must answer all questions asked by an inspector. They may ask you about who you are, where you live, and what goods you have with you. They can also ask you about anything else they need to know to do their job. You must tell the inspector the truth when they ask you questions. If an inspector asks, you must show them your passport or some other proof of who you are.

If you give your passport or proof of identity to an inspector, they can make a copy of it. They can keep the copy for a good reason, but they must give your passport or proof back to you right after they finish looking at it. You must also show an inspector any goods you have with you if they ask to see them. This is so the inspector can check if you have any risk goods, which are goods that could harm the environment or people.

You must do what an inspector tells you to do if you have risk goods and they give you a reasonable instruction.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM315314.

Topics:
Immigration and citizenship > Border controlEnvironment and resources > ConservationEnvironment and resources > Farming and fishing
Previous

34: Disembarkation, or

"Getting off a boat or plane in New Zealand: following the rules to keep the country safe"

Next

35A: Duty of persons to remain in biosecurity control areas, or

"Stay in the biosecurity area until an officer says you can leave"

Part 3Importation of risk goods
Inspections, declarations, etc

35Duties of persons in biosecurity control areas

  1. A person in a biosecurity control area must answer all questions asked by an inspector about—

  2. the person's identity:
    1. the person's residential address and contact details:
      1. the presence, nature, origin, or itinerary of goods in the person's possession or under his or her immediate control:
        1. any other matter on which the inspector requires information.

          1. The purpose for which the inspector may ask for information under subsection (1)(d) is to exercise a power or carry out a function or duty under this Part.

          2. A person in a biosecurity control area must, if asked to do so by an inspector, provide the inspector with the person's passport or any evidence of identity that the person has that is not a passport.

          3. An inspector to whom a passport or evidence of identity is provided under subsection (3)—

          4. may take a copy; and
            1. may keep the copy for a lawful purpose; and
              1. must return the passport or evidence immediately after—
                1. inspecting it; or
                  1. inspecting and copying it.

                  2. A person in a biosecurity control area must, if asked to do so by an inspector, make available to an inspector goods in the person's possession or under his or her immediate control.

                  3. The purpose for which an inspector may make a request under subsection (5) is to enable an inspector to examine the goods to ascertain whether or not risk goods are present.

                  4. A person in a biosecurity control area must comply with a reasonable direction of an inspector in relation to risk goods.

                  Notes
                  • Section 35: replaced, on , by section 29 of the Biosecurity Law Reform Act 2012 (2012 No 73).