New Zealand is an island. It does not have many of the diseases and pests that other countries have.

If people bring in food and plants with pests or diseases, it could spread that problem through the whole country.

People would lose their jobs, and plants or animals would get sick and die. It would be a big problem for everyone.

Sometimes people forget that they have food in their pockets, or bags. They are happy when the dog finds it, and they know they should throw the food away.

But some people know they are not allowed to bring food or plants into New Zealand, and they hide it. We are very lucky that the dogs can sniff out the things they hide, and help to protect our country.