More X-raying of baggage and more targeting of passengers likely to be carrying goods that could be carrying pests and diseases will begin in December.
The new biosecurity measures are the result of $27 million of new funding for biosecurity in the government's 2015 budget.
One of the plans is to use detector dogs to screen passengers much earlier than before in the arrival process for international passengers.
Steve Gilbert, Ministry for Primary Industries border clearance services director, said dogs would be as close to where passengers leave the aircraft as possible.
"This approach will provide more opportunity to detect risk goods, particularly within hand-held baggage, where passengers often carry fruit and other food."
An increase in international passenger numbers was one of the reasons behind the new measures, he said.
"Another reason is the heightened threat posed by Queensland fruit fly host material arriving in New Zealand. There has been an increase in fruit fly populations in Australia and the fly has been spreading into previously pest-free areas," Mr Gilbert said.
Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy said biosecurity was his number on priority as minister.
"This will provide a stronger presence at the border to deal with growing passenger numbers and help prevent pests and diseases entering New Zealand.
"We have already beefed up the border over the last two years with 130 new staff, new x-ray machines, and increased the number of detector dog teams.
A committed passenger border levy will fund these services.
"It also means that foreign travellers who make up around 55 per cent of passenger numbers will be directly contributing."
New biosecurity measures:
- 20 new biosecurity detector dog teams.
- Five new x-ray machines.
- Trialling a mobile x-ray machine that can shifted to different sites.
- Greater ability to increase the level of biosecurity intervention for air passengers according to risk.
- Introducing specific communications to target passengers more likely to carry Queensland fruit fly host materials.
