Official Information Act Requests
This page records OIA's requests and responses to GE Free New Zealand and others
Food Standards Australia New Zealand - New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS)
Responsibility of GE Detection.
11.11.2024 -OIA24-0712 NZFS reply to contamination of seed supply, responsibility of importers to monitor contamination, lack of funding for monitoring.
P1055 -Definitions for gene technology and new breeding techniques
21/08/2024 P1055 FOI GE Free NZ request for clarification and to extend submission period by 1 month.
27/08/2024 Response from FSANZ to questions
20/08/2024 P1055 Gene Ethics detailed request to extend submission period by 1 month.
29/08/2024 CEO response to Gene Ethics
FOI FSANZ A1274 GM Bananas
11.8.2023 FOI A1274 - Application to approve GE Bananas into the food chain.
28.09.2023 1 Event: FOI - Safety assessment. Application A1274 Food derived from disease-resistant banana line QCAV-4.
2 Event:FOI - Fusarium Wilt Tropical Race 4 Resistant Banana Event QCAV-4
3 Event: FOI - Studies submitted in support of Fusarium Wilt Tropical Race 4 Resistant Banana Event QCAV-4
4 Event: FOI - Banana event QCAV-4 Collection of nucleotide and amino acid sequences
5 Event: FOI - Banana Event QCAV-4 Composition Analysis
SCION
22.10.2022 - QT-10281 OIA Response to GE Free NZ SCION response on the traits, number and health of the GE trees in their Rotorua field trial in 2022
10.08.2023 - CN012371 OIA Response to GE Free SCION response on the traits, number and health of the GE trees in Rotorua their Rotorua field trial in 2023
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Gene Technology Bill formulation and consideration
15.04.2025 DOIA-REQ-0010274 follow up information from the OIA 14.03.2025
15.04.2025 BRIEFING Regulation of Biotechnology: Legislation bid asked for in previous OIA requests, very interesting information on the early briefing of the Bill and who had a large part in the vision.
15.04.2025 DOIA-REQ-0010280 follow up information from the OIA 14.03.2025
24.03.2025 Documents relating to OIA request DOIA-REQ-0008002
24.03.2025 MBIE response DOIA-REQ-0010090 detailing who is on the Technical Advisory Groups for writing the Secondary Regulations.
14.03.2025 MBIE response DOIA-REQ-0010274 further replies to requests
14.03.2025 MBIE response DOIA-REQ-0010280 replies to questions refusing, withholding and extensions of time.
13.03.2025 MBIE Response to DOIA-REQ-0008002 full response to earlier request on information to do with the Gene Technology Bill
13.02.2025 MBIE Extension reply DOIA-REQ-0008002 to GE Free NZ request for information on the Gene Technology Bill
20.10.2024 OIA request to MBIE regarding Gene Technology Bill - there has been no response so went to the Ombudsmen.
05.10.2023 DOIA 2324-0428 - MBIE Letter of reply with attachments for the annual reports of the GE ryegrass field trials conducted in the US from 2017-2022
Attachments -
C10X1603-CR-1 - GE Ryegrass Field Trials 2016 - 2017
C10X1603-CR-2 - GE Ryegrass Field Trials 2017 - 2018
C10X1603-CR-3 - GE Ryegrass Field Trials 2018 - 2019
C10X1603-CR-4 - GE Ryegrass Field Trials 2019 - 2020
C10X1603-CR-5 - GE Ryegrass Field Trials 2020 - 2021
C10X1603-CR-6 - GE Ryegrass Field Trials 2021 - 2022
Commerce Commission
9.5.2022 - Complaint under Fair Trading Act - labelling of GE soy in Impossible Burgers
Ministry of Primary Industries
LMOs imported or exported
31.7.2023 OIA23-0347 - MPI reply on Cartagena Protocol Biological Clearing House on Living Modified Organisms (LMO /GE) Imports and Exports 2019 -2023
Appendix 1 - Data of exports and imports of Living Modified Organisms (LMO /GE)
21.6.2023 ENQ-46215-D6H9N3 - Transfer letter to MPI
17.7.2023 OIA23-0347 MPI reply to transfer letter
GE Eucalyptus ERMA200825
20.07.2023 OIA23-0327 MPI reply to the status of the Te Teko trial of GE Eucalyptus -
Appendix 1 OIA23-0327 MPI audit report final
29.08.2023 OIA23-0487 Monitoring and inspection responsibility
Impossible Burger
23.4.2023OIA23-0078 MPI reply relating to evidence on Impossible foods
Appendix 1 MPI correspondence with Impossible Foods
Appendix 2 MPI investigation report and emails.
(Image of Impossible food products sold in USA and Canada)
6.5.2022 Complaint to MPI regarding labelling of Impossible Burger. Request to recall Impossible Burger from shelves and re-label.
19.05.2022 Reply from Jerwin Impossible Foods regarding our press release on the lack of labelling of GM soy isolate
19.12.2022 Email reply from MPI on the labelling of Impossible Burger
13.3.2023 Email Correspondence with MPI regarding documents and consultation with Impossible foods
16.3.2023 OIA23-0078 An update on your request, reply from MPI
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
13.10.2021 Response from MFAT regarding further position on synthetic biology
18.7.2021 GE Free OIA request - Regarding position and the ENV CBD regarding GMO and gene drive/editing and synthetic biology
13.9.2021 Reply OIA 27593 MFAT - Reply with information on their position
13.9.2021 Redacted OIA 27593 reply- emails and briefing to Minister from 21 February 2021 - July 2021.
Ministry for the Environment
01.09.2021 OIAD-106 MfE response full briefing minutes detaining advice to Ministers on HSNO changes regarding the regulation of genome-edited organisms in the HSNO Act. consideration of regulatory review
02.06.2021 OIA request HSNO Act and Gene Edited Organisms request for briefing minutes to the Minister regarding the HSNO Act.
AgResearch - OIA
GE Animals Ruakura facility ERMA 200223
25.03.2025 - OIA response - GM Animals AgResearch definition of the traits of the GE animals at Ruakura
15/10/2023 - OIA request to AgResearch regarding GE animals at Ruakura facility ERMA 200223
20/10/2023 - OIA Transfer of ERMA20223 request from EPA to AgResearch - Cath Spiller
09/11/2023 -ENQ-46907-B2C1L0 / ENQ-46953-R4P3H2 Dr Christopher Hill EPA response
08/11/2023 - OIA reply AgResearch - Nick Barraclough,
ADVERSE EVENT Report A 15088 -Generation of climate-smart cattle from edited embryos
ADVERSE EVENT 320 - breeding of cloned sheep for generating absolute transmitters and phenotypic evaluation
ADVERSE EVENT 349 - breeding of cloned sheep for generating absolute transmitters and phenotypic evaluation
ADVERSE EVENT 350 - Lambing -breeding of cloned sheep for generating absolute transmitters and phenotypic evaluation
ADVERSE EVENT 352 - Bertha #1917 breeding of cloned sheep for generating absolute transmitters and phenotypic evaluation
ADVERSE EVENT 353 - Martha #1938 breeding of cloned sheep for generating absolute transmitters and phenotypic evaluation
ADVERSE EVENT 354 - #2229 breeding of cloned sheep for generating absolute transmitters and phenotypic evaluation
AgResearch Ruakura Facility MPI Verification reports
1.6.2021 OIA21-0539 -response from MPI.
1.9.2020-4.11.2020 - AgResearch Ruakura Campus. Verification of compliance with controls and inspection of facilities.
14.02.2019 - 09.09.2019 MPI Verification report ; AgResearch Ruakura Campus. Verification of compliance with controls and inspection of facilities.
23.8.2019 Corrective Action Request Issued To: AgResearch - Ruakura Campus Status: CLOSED
29.8.2019 -28.11.2019 MPI Verification report; Increased frequency visit due to critical non compliance (unapproved transfer of genetically modified organism)
27.11.2019 - 28.02.2020 MPI verification report; AgResearch Ruakura Campus. Verification of compliance with controls and inspection of facilities.
AgResearch GE Rye Grass trials
13.09.2024 OIA reply AgResearch Endophyte Field Trial and Rye Grass. The Endophytes are genetically engingeered (GE) but the rye grass as a conventional cultivar.
19.08.2022 - Reply to OIA Request - regarding the 2019-2021 results of the GE ryegrass and forage trials with attachments and redactions.
- HME Rye Grass Field Trial 2021
- Annual Update 2020-2021 - Report outcomes of year 2 of $11,500 GE ryegrass trial
- PSG Meeting field trial 2019 update
- Field Trial Update +2021
- 2021 Science update -
31.05.2021 - OIA request GE Free NZ - regarding the 2019-2021 results of the GE ryegrass and forage trials
16.03.2021 AgResearch Trials in USA, BRS Interstate/Release Permits and Notifications
26.09.2019 - Reply from AgResearch a detailed response on the forage trials undertaken by AgResearch
29.08.19 - OIA Request GE Free NZ regarding GE rye grass trials in the US.
AgResearch contract with Thompson and Clark private investigations of GE Free NZ and the Green Party
10.11.2015 - Attention Nick Daniels in-house emails relating to surveillance of GE Free NZ
23.10.2015 - GE Free NZ GE Animals Thompson and Clark report on GE Animals GE Free NZ to AgResearch
23.11.2015 - Green Party GE Animal Experiments Thompson and Clark in-house emails relating to surveillance of the Green Party
11.04.2016 - Cancellation of Thompson and Clark AgResearch emails regarding surveillance of GE Free NZ over the last 10 years @ $2,200/month.
24.07.2018 - Response on request for Thompson and Clark private investigations
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
GMO Releases of Medicines for Clinical Trials
17.01.2025 ENQ-48851-D1R4J5 response to APP203530 genetically modified live-attenuated vaccinia virus (Pexa-Vec)
17.01.2025 ENQ-48850-J4C6H8 response to APP203750 Chimaeric Antigen Receptor T-cells
8.12.2024 Request for information on APP203750 Chimaeric Antigen Receptor T-cells and APP203530 genetically modified live-attenuated vaccinia virus (Pexa-Vec)
13.9.2023 ENQ-46574-TOM2M9 EPA response to GE vaccine approvals
2.6.2021 ENQ-41539-R8X9F1 Telomelysin; phase II clinical trial for patients with inoperable melanoma. Trial not commenced.
2.9.2020 H202005963 Pexa Vec clinical trial Medsafe Response at close of clinical trial due to failure of outcomes.
31.10.2019 ENQ-37243-M3F1Q2 Response dsRNA re assessment enquiry.
Null Segregants
23.08.2024 - ENQ-48368-T5P8G2 - the ryegrass proposed for use in the trial are neither genetically modified organisms, nor null segregants as they are defined under statutory determination APP204173. However, because the ryegrass plants would be harbouring gene-edited Epichloë fungi, they must be treated as if they were GMOs themselves, to ensure that the Epichloë remain within the field test.
22.07.24 - ENQ-47517-G4G2C0 - EPA reply providing information on the decisions around Null Segregants, taken 6 months to receive.
5.06.2024 ENQ-47517-G4G2C0. Charges for public documents on null segregants $4,465 discounted from $8,930.
25.03.2024 - Response from CEO, Dr Freeth denying the reassessment on 'null segregants'.
15.03.2024 - Letter to CEO, Dr Freeth, regarding a Chief Executive Reassessment on APP204173 decision on 'null segregants'
17.10.2022 ENQ-44395-W4W9C4 - EPA response to internal and external correspondence received or generated by the EPA since January 1, 2021, concerning gene editing techniques and their products that specifically concern null segregants.
GE Drive Wasps
04.03.2024 - OIA request for information on Otago University Gene Drive experiment
19.3.2024 - ENQ-47619-Y8X5H3 EPA reply saying they have not approved any wasp gene drive experiments.
Binder 1 - documents on determination on Release of ‘null segregants’
Binder 2 - six documents relating to the communication of the null segregants determination. Some information in the documents ‘Back pocket notes null segregants v1’
Binder 3 - Null Segregant Messaging from AgResearch to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
GMO applications declined
9.6.2022 ENQ-44016-G6B2C9
Laboratory trials in NZ
07.09.2023 - ENQ 46479 G4K5Q OIA reply to questions on laboratory over sight
07.09.2023 - GE Laboratory application approvals all application codes for GE laboratory trials.
LMOs imported or exported
19.6.2023 OIA letter to EPA regarding Cartegena Protocol LMO's imported or exported through Biological Clearing House (BCH)
21.6.2023 ENQ-46215-D6H9N3 - Transfer letter to MPI
GE Eucalyptus ERMA200825
12.7.2023 ENQ-46256-M7X7F5 - EPA response to OIA request for ArborGen GE Eucalyptus trial in Te Teko
11.10.2023 - ENQ-46743-G7K8F9 - EPA response Dr Christopher Hill
All genetically modified organisms in development (GMD) Section 42A approvals
All Section 42B GM Import into Containment Approvals
GE Field Trial Annual Reports
9.11.2023 ENQ-46907-B2C1L0 / ENQ-46953-R4P3H2 EPA response to questions asked on the RAEC reports.
6.9.22 ENQ-44570-R7Z9F7 response to OIA request for GM annual reports AgResearch and Scion
15.10.2021 ENQ-42630-X9Q4C0 OIA request for GM annual reports AgResearch and Scion
Plant and Food
24.10.2024 OIA reply PFR Ref. 0918.3.1.09.24 to fermentation of seafood, did not use any GE technologies.
5.5.2011 OIA Response to research results on animal feeding studies on GM apples
25.4.2016 OIA16-0146 Ministry of Primary Industries response to the Plant and Food Research Facility Apple breach.
University of Otago
04.03.2024 Reply to Linda Grammer from on Gene Drive experiment conducted by Professor Dearden
Proposed Information for the Endeavour Fund - Research programme application funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Enterprise (MBIE)
Organic Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) - Meeting notes
4.12.2023 - BRF - 3967 Secondary Briefing to the Incoming Minister: Hazardous substances, new organisms, and international chemical and waste agreements
6.5.2024 - BRF-4707 Meeting note: Joint ministers meeting on gene technology regulator
30.5.2024 - BRF-4747 Briefing: Regulation of non-GMO new organisms
11.06.2024 - BRF-4878 Meeting Note: Joint ministers meeting on gene technology regulator
27.06.2024 - BRF-4941 Meeting note: joint ministers meeting on gene technology regulator