56350 (2025). Lan Pham to the Minister for Biosecurity

56350 (2025). Lan Pham to the Minister for Biosecurity: How much funding, if any, will be allocated to the Exotic Caulerpa National Strategy?

Hon Andrew Hoggard: I am advised that, since the start of the response, $31.7 million has been spent or allocated to combatting exotic caulerpa. This includes the development of removal tools, research, and raising public awareness. For the 2025 to 2026 financial year, $10.9 million has been allocated to the exotic caulerpa long term management programme operated by Biosecurity New Zealand. The programme activities are driven by the National Strategy. The strategy also sets out the roles and responsibilities of a range of other entities in managing exotic caulerpa, such as regional councils, including contributing their own funding.