Lifestylers

NAIT is mandatory for cattle and deer. To comply with the NAIT scheme you need to:

  • Register as a PICA (person in charge of animals) with NAIT and get a NAIT number for your property. Your NAIT number is in addition to your Animal Health Board (AHB) number. Getting your NAIT number is straightforward and takes less than 10 minutes.
  • Tag your cattle and deer with NAIT approved radio frequency identification device (RFID) ear tags.
  • Register your cattle and deer in the NAIT system.
  • Record all movements of cattle or deer on or off the farm in the NAIT system. If you send your animals to a NAIT accredited sale yard or meat processor they will record the movement for you.
  • Record all deaths, losses or exports of live cattle or deer in the NAIT system.

To find out more about the NAIT scheme, your NAIT obligations or for step by step user guides on the NAIT system please see the NAIT fact sheets and user guides.

 
Getting help

NAIT-accredited information providers can handle many of your NAIT obligations for you. To find your nearest NAIT-accredited information provider visit the register of NAIT accredited information providers or call 0800 624 843.

 
Ordering tags

You can order NAIT tags in the same way that you would normally order tags - from farm supply stores (for AHB tags) or through your artificial breeding provider (LIC or CRV Ambreed). You will need to have your dairy participant code or AHB herd number to order your tags. If you do not have an AHB herd number you should contact the Animal Health Board on 0800 437 243 or www.tbfree.co.nz

Make sure you order NAIT approved tags. NAIT approved tags meet NAIT’s performance standard, including a requirement for a minimum 98 percent retention rate when applied correctly. 

The following manufacturers produce NAIT approved tags: 

 
Stay safe when tagging

If you are tagging animals, please stay safe. Remember there is an exemption in the NAIT scheme for animals which are dangerous to tag if they are going direct to a meat processor and have already been tagged with an Animal Health Board (AHB) bar-coded panel tag.

A levy of $13 per head excluding GST will apply to these animals. If you are using this exemption you will not have to pay the cost of a NAIT tag for each animal or the NAIT tag and slaughter levies. If you cannot tag an animal safely, the impractical to tag exemption is the right option.

If you can tag an animal before it goes to slaughter, you should use a NAIT tag. AHB Direct to Slaughter (S) tags are no longer approved or accepted for use.

For information on handling cattle safely download the ACC publication Handling cattle safely: No-bull tips to keep you out of trouble (pdf).