Review Biosecurity Governance & MERL

Enhanced Pacific Biosecurity Partnership Programme

Pacific region MFAT · Ministry for Primary Industries 2024

Pacific · regional

Reviewing a New Zealand-led programme strengthening biosecurity systems across six Pacific countries.

The challenge

The Enhanced Pacific Biosecurity Partnership (EPBP) Programme is a New Zealand-led initiative strengthening biosecurity systems across six Pacific nations (Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu) from 2021 to 2025. Delivered in partnership between New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), the programme addresses the region's ecological vulnerabilities and the critical need for robust biosecurity to safeguard livelihoods, trade, and food security while fostering sustainable development.

What we did

The EPBP Programme delivered measurable improvements in biosecurity systems across the Pacific. Capacity-building efforts included tailored training in pest and disease identification, diagnostics, and border security, while region-specific technology such as advanced Remote Microscopy Systems provided real-time expert support for pest identification and bridged local expertise gaps. Biosecurity border staff attended international and in-country training programmes that enhanced their operational capacity.
Collaboration with key partners, including the Pacific Community (SPC) and Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), set the foundation for a harmonised regional biosecurity response, equipping participating countries with the skills and tools to address biosecurity challenges effectively.
Future Partners reviewed the Enhanced Pacific Biosecurity Partnership Programme.

How we worked

Future Partners designed and implemented a fit-for-purpose methodology to assess the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and impact of the EPBP Programme. The team visited the Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu to meet in person with key stakeholders, and interviewed key officials in Niue and Samoa by video conference.

Outcomes

Findings and recommendations The evaluation found that the programme has delivered notable successes, despite several challenges. Participating countries such as Tonga and Vanuatu demonstrated significant improvements in pest management capabilities, highlighted by the identification of the destructive fall armyworm during training in Vanuatu. Regional disparities remain evident, with Fiji emerging as a leader in infrastructure and skills, and COVID-19 travel restrictions delayed certain activities — yet many participating countries made substantial progress, with Samoa and Tonga launching their own plant health training programmes. To address ongoing challenges, we recommended operationalising the Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning (MERL) framework to better measure outcomes; focusing future training on localised programmes led by experienced trainers so content aligns with Pacific-specific contexts; consolidating diagnostic resources into centralised facilities and digitising national pest and disease data repositories to improve knowledge sharing; and fostering long-term partnerships with international organisations to secure sustainable funding and expertise, while refining governance structures to streamline decision-making.

Benefit to participating countries and New Zealand For Pacific participating countries, the EPBP Programme has enhanced biosecurity capacity, empowering local teams to mitigate pest and disease outbreaks effectively. This strengthened capability has resulted in more efficient border processes, reducing cargo and passenger delays while bolstering food security and expanding trade opportunities, together contributing to sustainable economic development across the region. For New Zealand, the programme reinforces regional biosecurity networks — vital for protecting the nation from biosecurity threats linked to Pacific trade and travel — and solidifies New Zealand's position as a global leader in biosecurity management.

Enhanced Pacific Biosecurity Partnership Programme

The challenge

What we did

How we worked

Outcomes

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