An account (based on the work of J. Bain) of the precautions taken to avoid the introduction of forest and timber pests into New Zealand, especially the inspection of timber cargo. Of the 86 pest species that have become established in the country, over half are from Australia and attack mainly Eucalyptus and Acacia spp. A high proportion (47.7%) of the total introduced species are sap-sucking insects (aphids etc.), some of which may have been transported by wind from Australia. -- AATA