EPA imports reindeer in time for Christmas

EPA imports reindeer in time for Christmas

New Zealand will welcome a dozen reindeer in the lead-up to Christmas after a late application to import the animals from Scandinavian company, Red Nose.

Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Chief Executive, Allan Freeth, said the organisation fast tracked the request under New Organisms regulations contained within the Hazardous Substances Act 1996.

Dr Freeth said the reindeer would arrive daily in the 12 days before Christmas and depart the country on New Year’s Day.

He understood the reindeer would be employed to deliver Christmas food packs.

“But only to the scientific community,” Dr Freeth said.

EPA was happy to sign the reindeer off as unmanned aerial vehicles, whose low carbon hoof-print could be an important proof of concept tool within the airborne delivery space.

He dismissed potential criticism that the last thing New Zealand needed was a bunch of Rudolphs in the sky.

Rudolph #1 said by email the reindeer looked forward to visiting New Zealand, and had already had two New Year’s Eve party invites from locals.

“Although English is our second language, we’ve been happy to accept a New Year’s party invitation from your shy, retiring national bird, the Kea.

Online research had confirmed the species were restrained, respectful of people and property, and at all time displayed the kind of exemplary behaviour that mirrored the reindeers’ own snow white reputation.

On the other hand, they’d declined an invite to ‘party like it’s 1999’ from a group of Kiwi birds after further online research highlighted their reputation for vandalism, common theft, and general disorder.

Dr Freeth said after a year of significant challenges he hoped some gentle humour was welcome. He and everyone at EPA wished all New Zealanders a wonderful holiday season, and a very happy New Year.

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