Pests and diseases are less likely to breach New Zealand's borders after four new biosecurity x-ray machines were installed in three of the country's international airports.
The Ministry for Primary Industries installed two machines in Auckland Airport, and one in both Christchurch and Queenstown Airports this week.
They would be used to scan overseas baggage for plant and animal products, Ministry detection technology manager Brett Hickman said.
"This means border staff will be better equipped to spot biosecurity risk items before they enter New Zealand, and we will have the capacity to increase the level of screening during times of high alert."
Two more machines were expected to be installed in the near future - one at Wellington Airport and the other at the International Mail Centre in Auckland, Mr Hickman said.
