About games estates
A game estate is a place where wild animals are kept so that people can hunt them. As long as you follow the correct processes, you can also:
- allow client hunters to take away edible parts of animals they kill when they leave
- cull animals if their numbers are too high, and send the culled animals to processing plants. In this scenario, the cull would have to be carried out by hunters listed by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
Find out more about commercial hunters and listed wild or game meat suppliers
What you must do if you operate a game estate
To operate a game estate you must:
- register with OSPRI, and
- comply with the requirements of the Animal Products Act 1999.
Register with OSPRI
The TBfree National Operational Plan requires all game estates to be registered with TBfree. OSPRI administers the TBfree programme. Contact them to register your game estate.
- OSPRI
- Phone: 0800 48 24 63.
Comply with the Animal Products Act
If you operate a game estate, you need to be familiar with all of your legal obligations under Part 5A of the Animal Products Act.
Animal Products Act 1999, Part 5A – NZ Legislation
The Animal Products Act requires you to list your game estate with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) if either or both of the following apply:
- Client hunters remove from your game estate any edible parts of animals killed by them on the estate. (This doesn't apply if the animal parts are removed for use only as a trophy).
- You want to supply animal material from your game estate to be processed as regulated product.
List as a game estate operator
To list as a game estate operator, complete the application form AP28.
Application form AP28 – Game estate listing [PDF, 1.1 MB]
Once we've approved your application, your estate's details are added to our public register.
Public register of listed game estates
Renew your listing every 2 years
You're responsible for renewing your game estate listing every 2 years.
Get verified if you export animal material (deer only)
If animal material from your game estate is processed for export, your estate must be verified by MPI. (This requirement only applies to the processing of game estate deer).
Animal Products Notice 2013: Export Requirements for Game Estate Products [PDF, 90 KB]
To arrange a verification visit, email VSTechnicalTeam@mpi.govt.nz
You will need to be verified every year to keep your game estate listing.
Who to contact
If you have questions about game estates, email info@mpi.govt.nz
