Craft Risk Management Standard  
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Aircraft from All Countries  
CRMS Aircraft  
27 May 2021  
 Craft Risk Management Standard : Aircraft from All Countries   
  27 May 2021  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  1 of 10 
TITLE  
Craft Risk Management Standard : Aircraft from All Countries  
COMMENCEMEN T 
This consolidated  Craft Risk Management Standard  comes into force on  27 May 2021   
 
This craft risk management standard amends the Aircraft from All Countries, which came into force on 11 May 
2015, and consolidates all amendments made up to commencement of this standard.  
 
The amendment history to this craft risk management stand ard is set out in the Document History.  
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This Craft Risk Management Standard  is issued  under section 24G of the Biosecurity Act 1993 and 
incorporates amendments made in accordance with section 24H(1)(a) of the Act.  
 
Dated at Wellington  this day : 27 May 2021  
 
 
Paul Hallett  
Manager,  Environmental Health  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
(acting under delegated authority of the Directo r-General)  
 
For further information , contact:  
Invasive Species Team  
Biosecurity New Zealand  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
 
Email: standards@mpi.govt.nz   
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Contents  Page 
Introduction  3 
Part 1:  Requirements  6 
1.1 Application  6 
1.2 Incorporation of material by reference  6 
1.3 Definitions  6 
1.4 Information that must be supplied  6 
1.5 General risk management  7 
Part 2:  Specific Requirements  8 
2.1 Disinsection  8 
2.2 International transit aircraft  8 
2.3 Domestic aircraft  8 
Schedule 1 – Definitions  9 
 
 
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Introduction  
This introduction  is not part of th is Craft Risk Management Standard  (CRMS)  but is intended to indicate its 
general effect.  
Purpose  
This Craft Risk Management Standard  specifies the requirements needed to manage the biosecurity risks 
associated with the arrival of aircraft in New Zealand.  
Nothing in this CRMS is to be read as reducing or relieving the operators or persons in charge of an aircraft of 
their responsibility to meet the re quirements of other enactments or regulations including those relating to the 
safety of the aircraft, crew and passengers . 
Background  
Aircraft arriving in New Zealand from  outside New Zealand have the potential to bring in  exotic pests, 
pathogens,  and unwanted organisms . 
The Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) prescribes requirements for the exclusion, eradication and effective 
management of pests and unwanted organisms in New Zealand. These organisms have the potential to 
cause harm to natura l and physical resources and human health in New Zealand. The Ministry for Primary 
Industries (MPI) is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Biosecurity Act 1993.  
This CRMS  has been  developed under the Act.  It specifies the biosecurity risk manag ement and information 
requirements that must be met when aircraft  enter New Zealand territor y. Upon arrival, verification  will be 
carried out to ensure that these requirements have been met (verification may include inspections ). 
Who should read this  Craft Risk Management Standard ? 
Operators and persons in charge of aircraft  arriving in  New Zealand territory  and operators of airports 
approved as places of first arrival should read this CRMS . 
Why is this important?  
In accordance with section 24J of the Act, the operator or person in charge of an aircraft must take all 
reasonable steps to comply with this CRMS . If the operator or person in charge of the aircraft does not comply 
with this CRMS,  an inspector or authoris ed person may issue a compliance order requiring compliance . 
Section 154N(11) of the Act states that a person who fails to comply with a compliance order  commits an 
offence . Every person who commits an offence against this section is liable on conviction, in the case of an 
individual, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, a fine not exceeding $50,000, or both ; and in 
the case of a corporation, to a fine not exceeding $100,000.  
The operator or person in charge of a ny aircraft  that has risk goods on board may receive a direct ion from an 
inspector  under sections 19, 32 or 33 of the Act to take steps to manage those risk goods on board the 
aircraft , and, if these steps are not taken, the aircraft may be directed to leave New Zealand . 
Document History  
Version 
Date  Section 
Changed  Change(s) Description  
 
May 
2021  
The entire CRMS  • Minor wording changes for clarity .   
• Layout changes  that have altered the order of 
requirements and their numbering .  
• Guidance boxes and points added for clarity.  Craft Risk Management Standard : Aircraft from All Countries   
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• Changes to the definition to International transit aircraft 
and incorporation of the risk good requirements into the 
general requirements section.  
• ‘Securely stored ’ definition added.  
• Requirement wording changes (no changing of intent)  
 
Equivale nce 
An operator may submit a Craft Risk Management Plan for approval by the Director -General  under section 
24K of the Act proposing alternative ways of managing the risks . These ways may be different to, but must be 
equivalent to,  the requirements  in this CRMS . The Director -General will only approve a plan if the Director -
General is  satisfied that the requirements proposed in the plan allow risks to be managed to the same extent 
as or to a greater extent than they are managed under  this CRMS . 
Costs  
The costs to the New Zealand Government in performing its biosecurity risk management functions relating to 
the arrival of aircraft  in accordance with the requirements of this CRMS will be recovered as specified  by the 
Biosecurity (Costs) Regulations  2010.  
Other requirements of the Act  
Arrival  
In accordance with section 17 of the Act, if possible and practicable to do so, an aircraft must arrive  in 
New Zealand at either : 
a) a place of first arrival  (PoFA ) that has been approved by the Director -General  under section 37 of 
the Act,  as suitable for the aircraft  type and the purpose for which it is arriving ; or 
b) a place for which special approval has been granted by the Director -General  for a specified 
aircraft  to arrive, or for aircraft to arrive for a specified purpose,  under section 37A of the Act.  
Risk goods  
In accordance with sections  18, 19 and 33 of the Act:  
a) no risk goods are  permitted to be removed from an aircraft without the per missio n of an 
inspector ; and  
b) where risk goods  are present on an aircraft that arrived  from overseas , the person in charge of 
the aircraft  must follow every reasonable direction given by an inspector including to relocate the 
aircraft  or to manage the risk goods . 
Other standards  
While this CRMS  applies to aircraft, the goods on board the aircraft may be subject to the requirements of  
import health standards (IHSs) and the provisions of th e Act. This CRMS  is intended to work in conjunction 
with any relevant IHSs and provisions of the Act to manage goods  on board aircraft  not mentioned in the 
following requirements. Th is CRMS  does not  override these . 
 
Guidance  
• Examples of risk goods managed by other IHSs inc lude:  
− Goods that arrive as personal effects and freight  
− Air containers  
− Wooden packaging  
 
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Other information  
Guidance that directly supports the requirements of this CRMS  is provided throughout the CRMS  in guidance 
boxes .  
General guidance can also be found  on the  MPI Aircraft border clearance webpage .  
Please seek  further  assistance  from MPI if you are unclear on any part of the  CRMS  prior to the aircraft 
arriving in New Zealand territory.  
This document is not intended to be a complete summary of the obligations of operators or persons in charge 
of aircraft  under the Biosecurity Act 1993.  Craft Risk Management Standard : Aircraft from All Countries   
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Part 1:  Requirements  
1.1 Application  
(1) This CRMS  applies to : 
a) All aircraft that arrive  in New Zealand  
b) All bi osecurity risks associated with an aircraft  arriving  in New Zealand , including  any particular 
risks identified in this  CRMS . 
(2) These requirements apply to all aircraft while they are within New Zealand territory , until the aircraft 
leaves New Zealand territory  or the  operator or person in charge has obtained written confirmation 
from an in spector that the aircraft complies with part 2.3 
1.2 Incorporation of material by reference  
(1) The following documents are incorporated by reference:  
a) The Schedule of Aircraft Disinsection Procedures for Flights into Australia an d New Zealand , the 
current version at time of reference.  
(2) Under section 142O(3) of the Act, it is declared that section 142O(1) does not apply. That is, a notice 
under section 142O(2) of the Act is not required to be published before material that amends or  
replaces any material incorporated by reference has legal effect as par t of the documents in clause 
1.2(1) above . 
1.3 Definitions  
(1) Definitions of terms used in this CRMS are set out in Schedule  1.  
(2) Terms used in this CRMS  that are defined in the Act have the same meanings  as set out in the Act 
unless  a different meaning is given in Schedule 1 . 
1.4 Information  that must be supplied  
(1) An oper ator or person in charge  of an aircraft must ensure that the information below is submitted to 
MPI, in the manner approved by the Director -General, within a reasonable time prior to the aircraft’s 
arrival : 
a) Estimated time of arrival  (including any updates);  
b) The airport  where  aircraft will land ( Place of first arrival – where approval covers the aircraft  type, 
passenger numbers and cargo );  
c) Aircraft type and call sign ( aircraft  registration );  
d) Airport of origin and all transit stops (including last airport of call);  
e) Disinsection status;  
f) Scheduled  time and date of departure (if relevant) ; 
g) Number of  airport s the aircraft intends to visit within New Zealand;  
h) Any diversion or alternative landing locations in unforeseen circumstances (as soon as 
practicable);   
i) Whether  any risk goods are to remain onboard (only relevant for international transit aircra ft); and  
j) Whether  any live pests have been found/sighted onboard en route to New Zealand . 
(2) An oper ator or person in charge of an aircraft must notify MPI of any changes to the  information  
submitted to under clause  1.4(1).  
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Guidance  
• What constitutes a reasonable time depends on the conditions of MPI’s approval of the airport at 
which the aircraft intends to arrive.  
• Changes to scheduled times and dates of arrival and departure should  be received  by MPI  as soon 
as possible to ensure operational resource availability.  
• Please contact MPI at the relevant airport to confirm the time requirements for that PoFA and the 
approved manner for providing the above information.    
• Additional contact details can be fo und on MPI’s webpage: Steps for flying aircraft to New Zealand . 
1.5 General risk management  
(1) The operator or person in charge of any aircraft mus t take all reasonable and practicable steps to 
ensure that the aircraft arrives in New Zealand free of regulated pests and substantially free of 
biosecurity contamination.  
(2) While an aircraft is within New Zealand territory, the operator or person in charge of the aircraft must 
ensure that no risk goods (including food and rubbish ) leave the aircraft  unless for disposal or 
biosecurity clearance via an approved system  at a place of first arrival . 
 
Guidance  
• Examples of regulated pests and biosecurity contamination that are managed by this CRMS :  
− Animals , plants , parts of animals or plants  (for example, animal and plant waste, floral 
arrangements, fruit, house plants)  
− Domestic waste from the cabin, deck, hold a nd other internal areas  
− Vacuum  cleaner waste  
− Pests and related material such as egg masses or nests  
− Soil 
− Spillage from previous cargo in the aircraft (such as in the hold)  
• Items  that are free of biosecurity contamination and regulated pests  are not considered risk good s (for 
example, recycling).  
• Keep the aircraft as clean as practicable (for example , free of rodents and other pests, rubbish , soil, 
and spilled cargo) . This is an important and efficient way of ensuring the aircraft can be substantially 
free of biosecurity contamination.  
• Please contact the airport company for further information regarding resource availability and available 
services (approved systems) for aircraft a rriving internationally . 
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Part 2:  Specific Requirements  
2.1 Disinsection  
(1) All aircraft that arrive in New Zealand must be disinsected and carry a valid certificate of disinsection in 
accordance with the Schedule of Aircraft Disinsection Procedures for Flights into Australia and New 
Zealand . 
2.2 International transit aircraft  
(1) Subject to 2.2 (2) t he operator or person in charge of the aircraft  must e nsure that : 
a) the aircraft only visits the place  of first arrival; and  
b) the aircraft only remains in New Zealand until the  declared scheduled time and date of departure 
from New Zealand ; and  
c) all biosecurity contamination and other risk goods that remain onboard the aircraft are securely 
stored in lockers, food carts or separate closable compartments  within the cabin at all times , 
unless otherwise directed by an MPI inspector ; and  
d) all doors to cargo areas  remain closed unless loading the aircraft,  unloading the aircraft , or 
otherwise directed by an MPI inspector.  
(2) If the above international transit aircraft  requirements cannot be met , the person in charge or operator 
must ensure that the aircraft meets the requirements of a domestic aircraft  in part 2.3 and must notify 
the relevant MPI airport  branch  in accordance with section 1.4  
 
2.3 Domestic aircraft  
(1) Before moving  from the place of first arrival  to another New Zealand airp ort or landing strip , the 
operator or person in charge of the d omestic aircraft must obtain written confirmation  of compliance  
from an inspector  within 8 hours stating that: 
a) the aircraft  is free of regulated pests and  substantially free of  biosecurity contamination ; and  
b) any other risks goods have:  
i) been removed from the aircraft  through an approved system or under direction from an 
inspector ; or 
ii) received biosecurity clearance . 
 
 Guidance  
• All aircraft are subject to MPI compliance verificatio n. 
• Aircraft that do not meet the requirements in clause 2.2 (international transit aircraft) must meet the 
below requirements of clause 2.3 (Domestic aircraft).  Written confirmation of compliance under 2.3 
allows the aircraft to remain in New Zealand for an unspecified amount of time and/or travel to other 
airports or landing strips throughout New Zealand.  Craft Risk Management Standard : Aircraft from All Countries   
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Schedule  1 – Definitions  
This schedule sets out the definitions of terms used within this CRMS . Unless a term has a specific definition 
listed below, then the meaning is the same as in Section 2 of  the Biosecurity Act 1993.  
Act means the Biosecurity Act 1993 . 
Aircraft  means a vehicle that is a mobile conveyance used for the purpose to transport persons or cargo and 
designed to be used predominately in the air , for example aeroplanes, hydroplanes, and helicopters.  
Approved system means a system  approved by MPI as part of the approval of a place of first arrival under 
section 37 of the Act.  
Arrive in New Zealand  means  to land in New Zealand territory after a flight originating outside New Zealand 
territory . 
Biosecurity contamina tion means  any organic material, other thing or su bstance that (by reasons of its 
nature, origin or other relevant factor) it is reasonable to suspect harbours or contains a regulated pest (or 
parts thereof) and where such material, other thing or substance is not intended for biosecurity clearance 
under the Act.   For the purposes of this CRMS the following are examples of biosecurity contamination that 
are managed by this CRMS:  
a) Animals and plants and parts thereof (for example, animal and plant waste, floral arrangements, 
fruit, or house plants);  
b) Domesti c waste and the vacuums from cabin, deck, hold and other internal areas;  
c) Pests and related material such as egg masses or nests;  
d) Soil; and  
e) Spillage from previous cargo in the hold . 
 
Disinsection means t he procedure whereby measures are taken to control or kill the insect pests present in 
or on the internal surfaces of an aircraft such as the cabin and hold areas .  
Domestic aircraft means an aircraf t for which the operator, or person in charge has given notice under Part 
1.4 that the aircraft will:    
a) remain in New Zealand territory without a scheduled time and date of departure from New 
Zealand; or  
b) visit airports or landing strips other than the airport of first arrival .  
 
International transit aircraft means an aircraft that meets the requirements in  clause 2.2(1) of this CRMS.  
Place of first arrival (PoFA) means a place that has approval under section 37 of the Act for the arrival of 
craft from a  foreign place.  
Regulated pest means   
a) any regulated pest, quarantine pest, or regulated non -quarantine pest as defined by the 
International Plant Protection Convention ; and  
b) exotic diseases, infections and infestations as listed by the World Organisation for Animal Health ; 
and  
c) any organism that t hat may cause unwanted harm to natural and physical resources or human 
health in New Zealand or that may interfere with the diagnosis, management,  or treatment in 
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Securely stored means storage that ensures the ri sk commodity or contamination  is managed appropriately 
to keep unauthorised commodities and hitchhiking pests from entering New Zealand territory, unless via an 
approved system. This may include sealing, locking,  or stowing away in a fully sealable unit . 
Written confirmation of c ompliance  means written confirmation from an inspector that the aircraft complies 
with the requirements of part 2.3 (1) of this CRMS , i.e. that  the aircraft is free of biosecurity contamination, 
regulated pests,  and other risk goods .