Dirty rugby boots seized at border

Bio-security fears have resulted in 60 players for the Rugby World Cup having their boots seized and cleaned upon arrival in New Zealand. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Biosecurity fears have seen border officials seize and clean the boots of sixty arriving Rugby World Cup players.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) this morning confirmed the boots had been "intercepted" amid stepped up biosecurity measures at Auckland International Airport.

Officials had fined one player $400 for not declaring for his dirty boots, while another had been fined for bringing in an undeclared pot of honey.

MAF biosecurity manager Stuart Rawnsley told Radio New Zealand the other 59 pairs of dirty boots had been declared by players ahead of their arrival.

"We did find one team member in one particular team who insisted his boots were clean but they were rather filthy."

Mr Rawnsley said European players had also tested officials with unusual demands.

He said one team had imported a ceremonial dress which included a ceremonial dagger.

Others wanted to bring in "particular cheeses", he said.

"They had to gain special permits to get them into New Zealand."

Border control staffing will be increased in the coming weeks as an estimated 95,000 tourists arrive for the Rugby World Cup.

Auckland and Wellington airports were likely to see their busiest days ever during the cup, Mr Rawnsley said.

- Herald Online staff