The name of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has changed to the Ministry for Primary Industries.
The name change follows a merger between the New Zealand Food Safety Authority, the Ministry of Fisheries and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
The Ministry for Primary Industries is responsible for all government work in the agricultural, horticultural, fisheries and aquaculture, forestry and food sectors, as well as biosecurity.
New Zealand’s Primary Industries Minister David Carter announced the change.
“The successful mergers of the Ministry of Fisheries and the New Zealand Food Safety Authority with MAF have paved the way for a new organisation to focus fully on the performance and integrity of all our primary industries,” said Mr Carter.
“The name change is a logical move. It recognises the broad role of the Ministry in growing and protecting the primary sector, the powerhouse of New Zealand’s economy.
“Importantly it provides the different parts of the organisation with a single, unifying identity,” said Mr Carter.
Existing brands for MAF, Biosecurity New Zealand, the Ministry of Fisheries and the New Zealand Food Safety Authority will be phased out.
The Crown Forestry brand will be retained because it is a commercial forestry business that stands apart from the policy, regulatory and service delivery roles of the Ministry.
