The site for the Ministry for Primary Industries new Plant Health and Environment Laboratory (PHEL) in Auckland is ready for construction, with the main building platform and piling now completed.

Design of the new facility has also been finalised, and construction is expected to start later this year, pending Ministerial approval in August.

The new PHEL will enhance capability to protect primary industries and the environment from increasing biosecurity risks. The modern, efficient laboratory will be built to PC3 biocontainment standards and designed to manage two large incursions simultaneously. New greenhouses will support export growth through improved access to post entry quarantine.

The new facility will replace our existing PHEL in Tāmaki and is expected to be operational in 2029.’

KVH works closely with the PHEL team, including a workshop last year with diagnostic and surveillance experts, and most recently having some scientists from the team join us at the Punchbowl-hosted industry tour.

Image: Design concept of new facility, consisting of PC1, PC2 and PC3 laboratories, a workplace building, greenhouses and a headhouse.