EFFECTIVE 19 JULY 2021, THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE THROUGH ITS BIOSECURITY SERVICES AT THE RAROTONGA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, WILL WEIGH ALL FOOD ITEMS TAKEN BY PASSENGERS TO NEW ZEALAND.
FOOD ITEMS SUCH AS ROOT CROPS (TARO, MANIOTA ETC), DRINKING NUTS (NU), PROCESSED FOODS (CHESTNUTS, KANAKA).
THIS IS TO RECORD THE TYPE AND AMOUNT OF FOOD PRODUCTS TAKEN OUT OF THE COOK ISLANDS.
WE ADVISE PASSENGERS NOT TO TAPE OR SEAL YOUR CONTAINERS OF FOOD PRODUCTS (CHILLI BIN, BOXES, SACKS) UNTIL IT HAS BEEN INSPECTED AND WEIGHED BY BIOSECURITY STAFF. ONCE COMPLETED, THE RELEVANT DOCUMENTATION (PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATE) WILL BE PROVIDED TO YOU.
PLEASE EXPECT SOME DELAYS WHILE OUR BIOSECURITY SERVICES UNDERTAKES THIS TASK FOR ALL DEPARTING PASSENGERS TAKING FOOD PRODUCTS.
FOR FURTHER CLARIFICATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE ON PHONE 28711 OR 28710.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT.
MRS TEMARAMA ANGUNA-KAMANA
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
