MPI has a long and rich history in New Zealand and abroad. Find out how MPI and New Zealand's primary industries have evolved since the 1800s.

The story of MPI

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has been around in some form since the late 1800s. Find out how we've evolved from 30 sheep inspectors to a large government ministry, employing over 2,900 staff working to grow and protect New Zealand.

Evolution of MPI – a timeline

1875 – 30 sheep inspectors form the Stock Branch of the Department of Crown Lands
1877 – Marine Department becomes responsible for regulating fisheries
1885 – Forests and Agricultural Branch of the Department of Crown Lands created
1892 – Department of Agriculture forms from Livestock and Agriculture Branches
1915 – Department of Agriculture employs over 400 staff
1919 – State Forest Service becomes the dedicated forestry department
1960s – Animal and plant quarantine inspectorates join to form the Port Agricultural Service
1963 – Fisheries Research Division set up within the Marine Department
1972 – Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries forms
1987 – Ministry of Forestry forms, taking on forestry regulation from the Forest Service
1995 – Fisheries functions split off to form separate Ministry of Fisheries and Ministry of Agriculture
1998 – Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Forestry join to form Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)
2002 – NZ Food Safety Authority forms
2004 – Biosecurity NZ forms within MAF
2010 – MAF and NZ Food Safety Authority join
2011 – Ministry of Fisheries merges with Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)
2012 – MAF renamed as Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
2018 – MPI forms 4 business units – New Zealand Food Safety, Biosecurity New Zealand, Fisheries New Zealand, and Te Uru Rākau (Forestry New Zealand).
2019 – A fifth business unit is formed: Agriculture and Investment Services.