A crate of plants came with an exotic surprise this afternoon as biodiversity officials discovered a live boa constrictor hiding inside.

Jetstar's calls to scrap immigration checks on the Tasman have sparked biosecurity fears from Federated Farmers.

A probe into the escape of genetically engineered plants from a government laboratory found scientists had left routes open.

A teenager has been sent to prison for three months after smuggling two small snakes into the country in his pants.

Boaties are being asked to check their vessels for hitchhiking seaweed, after a noxious Japanese kelp turned up in Fiordland.

Australian pipfruit bodies are still questioning the safety of NZ apples, despite a WTO interim report apparently indicating a win for local growers.

NZ's apple growers have reportedly won a victory in their battle to sell fruit in Australia but the industry is not expecting benefits any time soon.

Australia will tighten its borders with intense biometric scrutiny of travellers from high-risk countries.

New Zealand bio-security and food safety authorities moved proactively this morning to announce the discovery of a brain disease that affects sheep.