With each arrival comes the risk of a new pest or disease entering New Zealand. One way travellers can bring pests and diseases into the country is in dirty outdoor gear or sporting equipment. The hulls of yachts can also bring unwanted organisms such as the highly invasive seaweed Undaria.

In 1997, the gum leaf skeletoniser was discovered in New Zealand at the Mount Maunganui Golf Course. It is highly likely this destructive Australian caterpillar arrived as a hitchhiker on the sporting equipment of a golfer.

Just one new serious pest or disease could cause major damage to our fragile environment.

Everyone has a role to play in keeping New Zealand free of unwanted pests and diseases.

Find out about the precautions to take when you travel on the Protect New Zealand website.