Moving animals and farms can be a lot to handle and cause stress because there are many things to be done. However, it's important to follow NAIT regulations. These rules help keep track of animals in case there is a disease outbreak, making it easier to trace and manage herds effectively.

Important NAIT timeframes. Step 1: Tag within 180 days of birth, or before first off-farm movement, (whichever comes first). Step 2: Register tags within 7 days of animals being tagged, or before movement off-farm (whichever comes first). Step 3: Record sending and receiving movements within 48 hours of animals either leaving or arriving on-farm.

The Moving farms decision-making tree and checklist will guide you through the step-by-step process of moving and staying on top of your responsibilities.

Tasks to complete before moving

  • Tag and register your animals.
  • Complete an Animal Status Declaration (ASD) form (you can complete ASD forms electronically through our online customer portal, MyOSPRI).
  • Prepare a Declaration to Livestock Transporter (DLT), if your transporter asks for it.

Moving from one NAIT location to another

NAIT connects people, herds, and locations. Each farm location has a unique NAIT number, which doesn't transfer when you move properties. It remains tied to the original registered location.

When moving farms, you have two options.

  1. Moving with the herd: Transfer the animals to a new NAIT number and deactivate the old property NAIT number.
  2. Moving without the herd: Transfer the farm's NAIT number to the new Person in Charge of Animals (PICA).

Moving with the herd

If you are moving farms with the herd, follow these steps.

1. Register a new NAIT Number

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If you are using third-party software like MINDA or myHerd to manage your NAIT information, make sure to inform them about your new NAIT location number(s), and add them as an information provider.

2. Once all animals are registered, create a movement for your herd within 48 hours of the move.

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Moving Day

For Moving Day, you can create a movement from 29 June, but it must be done within 48 hours of the move.

3. Deregister your old NAIT number — you should only do this once all movements and animals are accounted for.

4. Contact us on 0800 482 463 or email us at info@ospri.co.nz with your new location so we can update the TBfree Programme.

Moving without the herd

If you are moving farms without the herd, follow these steps.

1. Complete and submit a PICA change form to inform us of the new PICA at the NAIT location.

Remember to do a full stock audit before the handover, so that you are handing over accurate records.

2. If you are becoming the PICA at another NAIT location (taking over an existing herd) ensure you are correctly registered as the PICA for the new herd.

If you're no longer a PICA, there's no need to be registered in NAIT.

If the herd is sold or disbanded, make sure the:

  • movements are recorded in NAIT
  • NAIT number is de-registered.

You will need to register any new grazing blocks you are in charge of and create movements in NAIT for any animals sold or sent to a grazing farm.

Registering an additional grazing block on your current NAIT number (PDF 386KB)

Registering a NAIT number (already farming) (PDF 435KB)

Buying animals

If you buy animals, check that they comply with NAIT requirements before you bring them onto your farm.

New herds

If you establish a new herd, you need to:

  • register a new NAIT location
  • register the herd for TB testing, and
  • record in NAIT that you received the new animals you bought.

How to register the location of your animals

Register for TB management

Introducing new animals to a herd

If you're adding new animals to your herd, you must record the movement in NAIT. If you've moved to a new farm, make sure the movement is recorded to the NAIT number at the new location.

Recording animal movements

Give us a call

If you have followed all of the instructions to update your NAIT details and are still struggling, our Support Centre is here to help you.

Call: 0800 482 463
Email: info@ospri.co.nz

When you contact us about changes to the PICA, we will also update the registered TBfree herd information so that we have the correct information for TB testing purposes.

For Moving Day, refer to the DairyNZ website for more helpful advice.