Opening hours
We are open to receive samples for testing:
- Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm
- Saturday 9am to 12pm
- Sunday Closed
We can receive samples outside these hours by prior arrangement. Please contact our samples team at [email protected].
Our microbiology laboratory is open 365 days a year, but on Sunday and statutory holidays, only routine local regional council water samples can be delivered between 9am and 12 noon.
Contact information
- Phone: 03 548 2839
- Email (general enquiries): [email protected]
- Email (samples/submissions): [email protected]
- Email (quotes/new business): [email protected]
- Delivery Address: 98 Halifax St East, Nelson, 7010
Sample containers/swabs/consumables
If you need sample containers, swabs etc, please complete the consumable order form here Cawthron Laboratories - Cawthron Institute, under "Submit a Sample".
Try to request your consumables at least 5 days before you need them to avoid any issues in sampling and allow at least 3 working days for processing and delivery.
Submission Forms
Please ensure that a completed sample submission form is included with all samples sent. You can download the most up-to-date sample submission form here at Cawthron Laboratories - Cawthron Institute, under Submit a Sample.
Turnaround times (on receipt of sample)
- Food Chemistry/Trace: 5-7 working days (Mon-Fri)
- Microbiology results are sent within 5-7 days.
- Biotoxin Shellfish: 2-3 working days (Mon-Fri)
- Biotoxin Freshwater: 6 working days (Mon-Fri)
- Phyto Marine: 1 working day (Mon-Fri)
- Phyto Freshwater: 5 working days (Mon-Fri)
- GMP: 10 working days (Mon-Fri)
Results & Reporting
Results, final reports, and invoices are all sent via email in PDF secure format. These PDFs cannot be edited.
Also, please be aware that results viewed on the Results Online service are subject to change until a final report has been issued.
Terms & Conditions
Our analytical testing Terms and Conditions can be viewed at https://www.cawthron.org.nz/what-we-do/laboratories-terms-and-conditions/.
Accreditations and certifications
International Accreditation New Zealand IANZ - ISO 17025 & Chemistry, Biological, RLP and Drinking Water. For our full scope of tests see the IANZ website - https://www.ianz.govt.nz/directory.
Recognised Laboratory Programme - Ministry for Primary Industries. Accredited regulatory testing, including exporting, for water, dairy, shellfish and fish products - https://mpi.my.site.com/PublicRegisterRecognitions/s/.
Imported Foods - Ministry for Primary Industries. A list MPI approved of microbiological and chemical tests for imported foods can be found on NZFSA website - https://www.mpi.govt.nz/import/food/approved-laboratories-for-testing-of-imported-food/.
US Food & Drug Administration - Shellfish testing for toxins and microbiological tests.
Good Manufacturing Practice - Medsafe and Ministry of Health (New Zealand) approved:
- The microbiological, chemical, and physical laboratory assessment of raw materials, including purified water, in–process and finished products for nutritional or nutraceutical products.
- The analytical instrumental techniques as applied to 1.
- Storage of stability samples under ICH conditions.
Therapeutic Goods Australia: Approved for raw material and finished product testing of natural products and nutraceuticals
http://www.tga.gov.au/.
Contacts
Cawthron Laboratories Sample Reception: 03 548 2839
Laboratory Manager: Paul Parker - [email protected]
Team Leader Microbiology: Mark Englefield - [email protected]
Team Leader Natural Toxins: Penny Harrison - [email protected]
Team Leader Food Chemistry: Linsey Ferguson - [email protected]
Quality Team: Anneke van Laanen - [email protected]
Team Leader Customer Liaison: Toni Deas - [email protected]
Cawthron Main Reception: 03 548 2319