Ok, here's how to find out what is acceptable……
Go to the MPI site and go to the Contact Details page:
http://mpi.govt.nz/AboutMAF/ContactUs/t ... fault.aspxIn the form, leave the category as "All MPI General Enquiries", and describe exactly what you want to bring in.
I got a reply within 24 hours (see below). You could probably e-mail this address too:
Quarantine_Enquiry <Quarantine_Enquiry (you know what goes here) mpi.govt.nz>
This is what I asked and the reply. I will print this out and take it with me.
Dear David, Yes, all the foodstuffs as mentioned below all be allowed entry into New Zealand.
Please declare all food items upon your arrival here in New Zealand.
Philip BACON
QI 1189
Quarantine Enquiries | Border Clearance Services Directorate | Verification and Systems Branch |Ministry for Primary Industries| Auckland International Airport| PO Box 53066 | Auckland 2150 | New Zealand
Telephone: 64-9-909 8614| Facsimile: 64-9-909 8600 | Web:
http://www.mpi.govt.nz Disclaimer: The information in this email is correct at the time of sending. Import Health Standards and other regulations are subject to change. Please visit our website for up to date information. A final decision on whether an item is a biosecurity risk is at the discretion of the Inspecting Quarantine Officer.
-----Original Message-----
From: xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, 18 February 2014 2:52 p.m.
To: Info Biosecurity
Subject: Bringing food on a visit
Category: All general biosecurity enquiries
Message:
I am coming to New Zealand in a couple of weeks to spend a few weeks tramping in the South Island.
Unfortunately, I have difficulties with some foods, specifically foods containing gluten (wheat, rye, barley, flour, pasta, etc) and dairy. If I eat anything containing these things, I can become quite sick and would be unable to do the tramping that I am coming for.
I have found even where I live here in Australia, it can be difficult to find suitable food products. With limited time between arriving in Christchurch and starting to walk, I suspect I might have trouble finding suitable foods. Even the prepackaged dehydrated meals are problematical as they usually use flour to thicken the sauces.
I was wondering if it is permissible to bring some of these specialist foods with me? They will be in their original commercial packaging. There will be no meat or dairy products, and no honey.
The things I would like to bring include:
Gluten free crackers for making lunches and at breakfast.
Cashew nut spread (like peanut butter/paste but made with cashews).
Gluten free breakfast cereals suitable for tramping, i.e., compact and low weight. These may contain quinoa or rice grains and possibly dried fruit or sunflower seeds.
Muesli or cereal bars containing dates and other dried fruits and nuts.
All of these will have been bought in Australia, but are made from local or imported ingredients.
I have spent some time looking around the various New Zealand government web sites for advice, but none are very specific.
I would be grateful if you could advise me whether these sorts of products would be acceptable. Otherwise, I may have to delay my tramping until I can find something to eat.
Thank you.
This post is copyright by davidmorr. Permission to reproduce elsewhere may be granted on application. Please PM me for details.