From 28 May 2026, the rules around growing hemp changed. Find out about the changes and the important rules that continue to apply to those involved in the hemp industry.
Hemp is a Cannabis sativa plant with a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) level of no more than 1% of the dry weight of the plant. If your crop has a higher THC level, it may be treated as illegal cannabis.
Hemp products are:
On 28 May 2026, the Ministry of Health changed the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1977 to allow hemp cultivation, use, and supply without a licence.
As part of the changes, you must notify the police and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) if you plan to cultivate hemp.
The amended regulations are on the New Zealand Legislation website.
Misuse of Drugs Amendment Regulations 2026
Hemp growers and others in the industry also continue to have important legal obligations under the:
Those obligations are explained further on this page and it is important you understand them. They help manage risks to people, the environment, and trade by supporting New Zealand's primary sector trade and ensuring food safety and animal welfare. They provide confidence that:
From 28 May 2026, regulation moved to a notification-based system. That means that growers must notify the New Zealand Police and MPI of your intention to cultivate hemp.
Notify MPI by emailing us at info@mpi.govt.nz
We require your name, address, and contact details. You must notify us before you start growing. Notification to MPI is required so we can provide guidance on managing risks to trade, food safety, and animal welfare that may arise from hemp cultivation.
Notify the police by contacting your local police station.
Police stations by map – NZ Police
Police need to know your personal details, where you will grow the hemp, and details of the scale and nature of your intended production. Notification to police is valid for a period of 1 year from the date that the notification was made. If you do not notify the police, you may be at risk of enforcement action.
From 28 May 2026, you do not need a licence to:
You can also possess, use, and trade (import and export):
However, all cannabis plants, including hemp, remain controlled drugs. More information about applying for an import or export licence will be published by the Ministry of Health.
Contact Medicines Control for more details.
Medicines Control – Ministry of Health
You will need to remain aware of the potential for cross pollination, particularly if you are breeding and multiplying new cultivars, and should seek advice on appropriate isolations.
Useful guidance can be found at Seed and Grain New Zealand
This page will be updated with further links to industry information on managing cross-pollination issues as it becomes available.
All imported hemp seed must comply with relevant import health standards. These standards help protect New Zealand’s environment and primary industries from pests and disease.
Import health standards relevant to hemp seed are:
If you have questions, contact PlantImports@mpi.govt.nz
Hemp seed food products and hemp seeds for food use must:
Food Regulations 2015 – NZ Legislation
Maximum residue levels (MRLs) for agricultural compounds
A guide to Labelling Food Containing Hemp Seeds [PDF, 639 KB]
If you are growing, processing, or selling hemp for food use, you must register as a food business with New Zealand Food Safety.
Register a food business under the Food Act
If you are importing hemp seed food products or hemp seeds as food, you must register as a food importer.
Registering as a food importer
Registration is a key part of ensuring that food sold to the public is safe to eat and traceable.
Hemp contains THC and CBD. Because of this, any hemp product intended for animal use must be registered under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Act before it can be used.
Agricultural Compound and Veterinary Medicine (ACVM) registration process
This applies to all animal feed, including grazing, feed for cattle, sheep and horses, pet food, and any hemp by-products or waste.
Using unregistered products can allow unwanted residues into the human food supply, and put New Zealand’s export markets at risk.
Non-feed products, such as shampoos, topical products and supplements that contain hemp or hemp residues, must also be registered before use.
It is illegal to make, sell or use hemp or hemp products for animals that are unregistered. Hemp and products containing hemp are not eligible for exemption from registration under the ACVM Act.
Hemp products made for people must not be given to animals unless they are prescribed by a veterinarian, or registered for animal use.
ACVM notification on hemp and cannabis as agricultural compounds [PDF, 199 KB]
If you have further questions, email approvals@mpi.govt.nz
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