How to Take Food (Including Honey) from Niue to New Zealand
Knowing New Zealand’s strict biosecurity rules, with usually not allowing any raw food into the country, you may be surprised to learn that there are exceptions when importing raw food from Niue. That’s right, food like Niuean honey – made from some of the cleanest bees in the world – is allowed to be taken from Niue to New Zealand as long as you have the appropriate quarantine certificate. This guide will go through the quarantine certificates in Niue, where to get them and what type of Niuean food you can take to New Zealand.
For more airport and biosecurity tips, head to Arrival Advice: Biosecurity and Customs in Niue and What to Declare When Arriving in Niue.
11 Surprising Things You Can Take from Niue to New Zealand with a Quarantine Certificate
What food can you import from Niue to New Zealand with the appropriate phytosanitary or zoosanitary certificate? Approved commodities include:
- Honey
- Taro
- Coconut and coconut sprouts
- Yam
- Cassava/tapioca
- Kaluku/birds nest fern
- Kafika/lilly pilly (leaves)
- Malay apple (leaves)
- Ginger
- Noni/Nonu/Indian mulberry (leaves/juice)
- Pia/arrowroot
As for food you might like to taste while in Niue, see the 8 Unique Foods in Niue You Have to Try and 9 Exotic Fruits in Niue You Have to Try.
© NiuePocketGuide.comWhat Quarantine Certificates Do You Need?
There are two types of quarantine certificates for legally importing foods from Niue to New Zealand.
Phytosanitary Certificate
The phytosanitary certificate is a certificate issued by a biosecurity officer for importing raw produce from Niue to New Zealand. The certificate only covers Niue’s approved commodities, such as taro, yam, coconuts, noni juice, etc. See the complete list in the section above.
Zoosanitary Certificate
The zoosanitary certificate is a certificate issued by a biosecurity officer for importing honey from Niue to New Zealand. In fact, there is a specific honey zoosanitary certificate.
How Much Does a Phytosanitary/Zoosanitary Certificate Cost?
- Phytosanitary certificate – NZ$15
- Honey zoosanitary certificate – NZ$15
Note that prices are subject to change.
© NiuePocketGuide.comWhere to Get a Certificate for Taking Honey, Coconuts, etc. to New Zealand
Phytosanitary and zoosanitary certificates are available from the Niue Biosecurity Authority airport office, which is open on plane days. The office is also referred to as the DAFF office (Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries) or simply the quarantine office.
The Niue Biosecurity Authority office can be found at Hanan International Airport on the righthand side when facing the airport entrance. It is immediately next to the check-in desk.
© NiuePocketGuide.comDeclaring Food Products in New Zealand
Although you may have picked up a certificate to entitle the import of Niuean food products to New Zealand, you must still declare those food products upon arrival in New Zealand. These must be declared on your New Zealand Passenger Arrival Card, as well as to customs officers at Auckland Airport. Make the food products and phyto/zoosanitary certificate easy to access so that you can show the customs officer when needed.
Note that Niuean foods that you have obtained a quarantine certificate for, such as honey and coconuts, must be packed into your check-in luggage; not your carry-on bags.
Learn more about the New Zealand airport security process on our sister website, NZPocketGuide.com.
More About the Quarantine Process and Food in Niue
