Lifestyle File

Practical, trustworthy articles for lifestyle farmers. Browse by species, season, or topic. New content added every week.

Selling Eggs from Your Lifestyle Block

Find out the rules for selling eggs from small flocks. Learn when MPI registration is required, what the 100 female birds limit means, and what labelling rules apply to lifestyle farmers.

NAIT Questions Answered for Lifestyle Farmers

Clear answers to common NAIT questions for lifestyle farmers. Learn who needs to register, which animals must be tagged, and how to stay compliant with New Zealand’s NAIT system.

Update on NAIT

Learn what lifestyle block owners in New Zealand need to know about NAIT (National Animal Identification and Tracing). This guide covers tagging, movement recording, exemptions, and recent updates to keep your cattle and deer compliant and traceable.

Bovine Tuberculosis (Tb)

If you keep cattle or deer on your lifestyle block, you must meet NAIT and TBfree obligations. Learn what’s required to stay compliant and protect your livestock from TB.

What is Horizons One Plan?

What is the One Plan, and why does it matter for lifestyle block owners in the Horizons Region? This guide explains how local rules affect fencing, wetlands, culverts, fertiliser, and more — with practical tips for small-scale farmers.

Study reveals flaws in animal protection laws

A new study exposes major flaws in New Zealand’s animal welfare system, highlighting underfunding, weak enforcement, and the urgent need for a dedicated police unit to protect animals from harm. What does this mean for lifestyle farmers? Join the conversation.