Gene technology regulation

The Gene Technology Bill, which allows for the greater use of gene technology while ensuring strong protections for the health and safety of people and the environment, is now going through the parliamentary process.

Gene Technology Bill(external link) — New Zealand Legislation

Background

Gene technology (also known as genetic engineering or genetic modification) has been used in New Zealand for a long time.  The updated rules intend to support our scientists in using gene technologies to make advancements in healthcare and climate change, protect our unique environment, lift our agricultural productivity, and boost exports.

Like Australia, a regulator will be established to allow New Zealand to manage the risks of these technologies.

The new rules and the regulator will ensure that the health and safety of people and the environment are protected.

Gene technology is a powerful tool that has the potential to deliver enormous benefits for New Zealand.

Recent improvements mean we can use it more precisely and safely than ever before and places like Australia, Japan, the EU and England have safely embraced gene technologies.

With the changes in regulation, gene technologies could:

• Make it easier for doctors and scientists to research, develop and manufacture innovative therapies in New Zealand like using the patient’s own cells to help fight against cancer.
• Support scientists in developing a new type of pine tree that meets our forestry needs but doesn’t spread. This would help to protect and preserve our natural environments.
• Support the development of fruit and vegetables that are more resilient to pests and diseases. This would mean more food ends up on the table, and less in the bin.

Gene technology regulator

Based within the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), the proposed regulator will be a single decision-maker and will be supported by an office, a Technical Advisory Committee, and a Māori Advisory Committee.

The regulator’s responsibilities will include the assessment and management of the risks of regulated organisms, commonly referred to as GMOs, providing information to the public, guidance to regulated parties, and advice on technical matters to Ministers.

The regulator will be required to consider advice from a Technical Advisory Committee. This committee will advise the regulator on 

• Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plans prepared as part of the full assessment pathway
• Expedited assessments
• The development of guidance documents and risk analysis frameworks
• Proposed updates to the non-notifiable and notifiable risk tiers, and
• Activities eligible for a pre-assessed activity licence.

The Māori Advisory Committee will advise the regulator on whether Māori kaitiaki relationships with specific species (often translated as guardianship or stewardship) would be adversely affected by an application, along with potential mitigations. The Māori Advisory Committee will also issue engagement guidelines and provide advice to applicants and Māori on the application process. 

Development of the Gene Technology Bill

The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) is the lead agency for this work alongside the Environmental Protection Authority, Ministry for Primary Industries, Ministry of Health, the Ministry for the Environment and the Department of Conservation.

We have worked with a range of groups to develop the Bill.

The Technical Advisory Group

The Technical Advisory Group provides technical advice to MBIE on up-to-date gene technology regulation, including regulatory procedures and scientific technical matters related to biotechnology, genetic technologies and gene therapies.

The Technical Advisory Group ensures that officials’ interpretation of relevant science is accurate, that opportunities and risks are clearly understood and that technical considerations are effectively incorporated into policy development.

The Māori Focus Group

The Māori Focus Group supported MBIE to identify and understand Māori rights and interests for inclusion in the policy advice to Government. The group:

• discussed and provided a range of advice, a Te ao Māori lens on areas such as taonga species of flora, fauna and animal species, commercial interests, and whānau.
• provides advice and guidance to MBIE on the matters a new gene technology regulator might consider in order to safeguard and enable the interests of Māori.
• advises on the process by which a new gene technology regulator might use to involve Māori in decisions that impact on their interests.

The Industry Focus Group

The Industry Focus Group provides advice to MBIE on gene technology regulation impact focussing on trade, market access (global regulations), consumer perceptions, New Zealand branding, competitiveness in the global market, commercial and economic impact. They also ensure that the regulation will be efficient, effective, consistent and practical to implement and will test policy options.

Opportunity to have your say

The Government welcomes feedback on changes to these rules and encourages you to have your say at Select Committee. The Health Select Committee is calling for submissions on the Gene Technology Bill 2024. The closing date for submissions is 11.59pm on Monday, 17 February 2025.

More information can be found here:

Gene Technology Bill(external link) — New Zealand Parliament

More information

The Royal Society of New Zealand

The Royal Society of New Zealand’s purpose is to advance and promote science, technology and the humanities in New Zealand. They:

• provide evidence based independent advice to the public and government.
• have conducted and published a public dialogue on gene editing and how it can be applied in healthcare, in pest control and in the primary industries.

For more see the following link.

Gene editing in Aotearoa(external link) — Royal Society Te Apārangi

Government briefings and papers