This page is a summary of the rules
More details about the information on this page are in our guide.
Guide for listed hunters supplying meat for human consumption [PDF, 745 KB]
For individuals
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Rules for hunters supplying meat for human consumption
Find out about the rules that apply to commercial hunters who supply hunted meat to a primary processor, like an abattoir.
Rules for supplying meat from hunted animals to processors
If you want to supply hunted animals to a meat processor for human consumption, you must meet certain rules before and during the hunt, avoid prohibited areas, provide required information, comply with verification checks, and understand the enforcement actions that may apply.
You must also:
- be listed
- have an agreed operations manual with each processor.
How to become a listed hunter
To become a listed hunter, you must first pass a food safety test. This checks that you know about:
- the food safety risks involved with wild animals or game estate animals
- the controls used to manage these risks.
If you want to sit the test, either:
- email vstechnicalteam@mpi.govt.nz
- ask the meat processor you work with.
It is recommended that you read our guide to help prepare for the test.
Guide for listed hunters supplying meat for human consumption [PDF, 745 KB]
Once you've passed the test, you can apply to become a listed hunter.
Complete the application form, AP33.
Application form AP33: Listing as a hunter [PDF, 279 KB]
Once your application is processed, you will be notified. If approved, you will be given an identification number (MPI ID).
You will then be listed as a hunter on our public register.
An operations manual is a written agreement between you and a meat processor. You must have a separate manual for every processor you supply.
An operations manual shows how you will meet food safety requirements and must have information about where, when, and how you will hunt and handle the animals that you want to supply.
It is your responsibility to have an operations manual. You can create the manual yourself but most processors will supply you with their version for you to use.
We've also developed a template to help you prepare an operations manual.
Operations manual template Listed hunters for human consumption [PDF, 596 KB]
Rules for supplying meat processors
There are things you must do during a hunt. They include:
- correctly identifying hunted animals
- following hygiene and sanitation guidelines
- ensuring carcasses are correctly handled and prepared.
Note: You cannot hunt and supply animals for processing if they have been hunted in areas where poisons have been used for pest control.
When you send carcasses for processing, you must provide the:
- hunt and kill location
- a completed and signed supplier declaration
- poison use statements
- Department of Conservation pesticide summaries, if relevant.
Poison use statement – human consumption and pet food [PDF, 569 KB]
Pesticide summaries – Department of Conservation
Other types of listed hunter supplier declarations
For the supply of game estate animals for human consumption [PDF, 597 KB]
The meat processor and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) may check your activities to ensure that you are operating in accordance with your operations manual and meeting the legal requirements.
There may be consequences, including legal action, if there are issues with the activities of a listed hunter.
