The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) recently announced its plans to beef up biosecurity on incoming cruise ships – a move fully supported by KVH.

Cruise ships entering New Zealand waters are from Australia or the Pacific Islands—regions harbouring high-risk pests and diseases including fruit flies, which are the greatest biosecurity threat to New Zealand’s horticultural industries.

KVH is also advocating for all fruit and vegetables loaded onto New Zealand-bound cruise vessels to meet New Zealand import standards. This means the produce would have the same status as fruit and vegetables bought from local supermarkets and carry minimal biosecurity risk.