Whanganui MP Steph Lewis introduces Biosecurity Amendment Bill to Parliament

Whanganui MP Steph Lewis spoke to her first member's bill on Wednesday night, which aims to provide visitors to New Zealand information on biosecurity risks. Photo / Parliament TV

Whanganui MP Steph Lewis had her first taste of spearheading a bill on the floor of Parliament this week.

Lewis is the sponsor of the Biosecurity (Information for Incoming Passengers) Amendment Bill which passed its first reading on Wednesday night with almost unanimous support.

The bill amends the Biosecurity Act 1993 to require that all craft coming to New Zealand provide biosecurity information to the people aboard by means of an audio-visual recording and writing.

Currently, it is only optional for airlines to provide information to incoming passengers about biosecurity risks.

In an interview with the Chronicle when the bill was first pulled in March, Lewis said the bill was about giving visitors more information on how to protect New Zealand's environment.

"Although we're not getting a huge volume of people into the country at the moment, we know it's going to happen again in the future.

"What I'm saying is let's get ready for that and let's add an additional layer of protection for the industries that have helped pull us through economically and have kept us fed."

Speaking at Parliament on Tuesday night, Lewis said that growing up on her family farm in Waverley, she learnt how rich NZ's biodiversity is.

"I remember, when we first bought that farm, we would sit up at night listening to kiwi call across the valley," Lewis said.

"But, sadly, those calls have disappeared over the years. So I know how important robust security measures are to protect our native species, to protect our ecosystems and our food and fibre sector.

"I know that, if we faced a significant biosecurity threat in my electorate, it would take a significant toll on local farmers and growers, not just financially but on their wellbeing as well. It would also cause strain on their relationships with whānau and friends."

After Lewis introduced the bill, it was debated across the house by MPs of all stripes, with the Labour, National, Green and Māori parties all pledging their support to the bill.

Act MPs voted against the bill.

The draft legislation will now be sent to the Primary Production select committee for consideration before returning to the House for its second reading.