Before the HSNO Act was passed and ERMA New Zealand was set up in 1996, there was a voluntary regime covering GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms).
Development work was overseen by the Advisory Committee on Novel Genetic Techniques (ACNGT). Field tests were dealt with by Interim Advisory Group (IAG) at the Ministry for the Environment. The recommendations of these committees were submitted to the Minister for the Environment for approval.
When HSNO started in 1998, previous approvals were transferred to the new legal regime and a review by ERMA New Zealand was undertaken to ensure consistency with HSNO requirements.
Previous approvals were published in the New Zealand Gazette (Issue 101 on 30 July 1998).