MPI to be re-organised into four by early 2018 - O'Connor

Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor. Picture / Stuart Munro

Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor has detailed how Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will be reorganised.

O'Connor said the Government will set up four portfolio-based entities, Fisheries New Zealand, Forestry New Zealand, Biosecurity New Zealand and New Zealand Food Safety.

"Our priority is to achieve greater clarity and unity of purpose for these areas," he said.

"We are seeking enhanced visibility of government policy and regulatory activities and clearer lines of accountability and engagement for stakeholders," he said in a statement.

MPI will build up its forestry presence in Rotorua, O'Connor said, because of its location at the heart of the forestry sector.

Reorganisation of MPI's functions will occur in the early part of 2018 and will be in place by April.

O'Connor said there would be no reduction in total staff numbers as a result of the changes, which will cost about $6.8 million to put in place. Additional ongoing operating costs are estimated at $2.3m a year.