Dr Stewart Jessamine, New Zealand, and Mr Graham Peachey, Australia

The creation of a joint trans-Tasman agency is intended to ensure that both Australia and New Zealand are able to manage the regulation of an expanding range of increasingly complex products, and to enhance the influence of each country in regional and global regulatory activities. It will also facilitate trans-Tasman trade.

Various models were considered for the collaboration, and it was concluded that a true joint agency, performing the full range of regulatory activities, was the preferred one. Discussions have been wide-ranging, covering issues of sovereignty, control of advertising of pharmaceuticals, and cost recovery. The governance principles have essentially been agreed by the regulatory authorities, but have yet to receive formal government endorsement.