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New Zealand has two new farm safety codes, and they start on 1 April 2027. They’re Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs) called Roles and Responsibilities in Agriculture and Safe Farm Vehicle Operation.
WorkSafe New Zealand developed the codes with input from the farming sector. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden launched them on 1 October 2026. They sit alongside changes to the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, which start on the same day.
Agriculture is one of New Zealand’s most dangerous industries. It makes up just 6% of the workforce, yet it accounts for around a quarter of work-related deaths and serious injuries. Here’s what the changes mean for your farm and how you can get ready.
What's an ACOP?
An Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) is a practical guide to meeting your legal duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. It shows what good practice looks like in real situations on farm.
Following an ACOP isn’t mandatory. But it sets a recognised standard for compliance. You can meet your duties another way, as long as your approach is at least as safe.
After 1 April 2027, the two new agriculture ACOPs may also get safe harbour status. If they do, following them could be enough evidence that you’ve met your duties. This isn’t automatic, though. The Minister would need to reapprove the codes after public consultation first.
What do the new codes cover?
The codes start on the same day as changes to New Zealand’s Health and Safety at Work Act. This post focuses on the codes themselves.
Two new Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs) have been developed specifically for agriculture:
1. Roles and Responsibilities in Agriculture
Farms often have lots of people and businesses working together. That includes owners, managers, workers, contractors and suppliers. This code explains how safety duties work when more than one of them is involved in the same job or workplace.
Say you bring in a contractor for fencing or machinery repairs. You and the contractor may both have duties to manage the risks.
In practice, that means:
- Talking through safety expectations before work starts
- Sharing what you know about hazards and risks
- Agreeing how the work will be done safely
- Being clear on who’s responsible for what
You can hand over a task, but you can’t hand over your legal duty. Read the Roles and Responsibilities in Agriculture code on WorkSafe's website
2. Safe Farm Vehicle Operation
Farm vehicles and machinery are essential, but they carry serious risks. WorkSafe says farm vehicle incidents are one of the top two causes of workplace deaths in New Zealand.
This code covers how to manage vehicle risks, including:
- Choosing the right vehicle and equipment for the job
- Managing vehicle movements around people and property
- Checking ground conditions and terrain
- Making sure operators know how to work safely
- Reviewing risks when weather or conditions change
A tractor on a wet hillside is a very different job to one on a dry, flat paddock. The code asks you to weigh up the task and conditions before you start.
Read the Safe Farm Vehicle Operation code on WorkSafe's website
Do the codes add new legal duties?
No. WorkSafe says the codes aren’t about creating new duties. They make existing duties clearer, so everyone knows who needs to do what.
The wider law changes are a different story. They do change some duties from 1 April 2027.
How can you prepare for the new codes?
You’ve got until 1 April 2027 to get familiar with the codes. WorkSafe encourages farmers to use that time to work out what they mean for their business. These five steps are a good place to start.
1. Read both codesSkim each code and note anything that doesn’t match how you work now. Those gaps are your to-do list.
2. Tighten up contractor management
Make sure contractors know your site’s hazards before they start. Agree on safety expectations and who’s responsible for what.
Look at vehicle choice, operator training and maintenance. Then check how you handle changing ground and weather.
4. Keep your workers in the loopTalk your team through the codes. Workers should know the risks in their roles and how to report hazards. They should also know when to stop work if conditions turn unsafe.
5. Get your records in orderMake sure key safety records are up to date and easy to find. That includes risk assessments, inductions, training, inspections, maintenance and incident reports.
Keep your safety records in one place
The new codes are a good reason to check how you track safety on your farm. Clear records make it easier to show what you're doing and spot gaps early.
Safe Ag Systems helps farming businesses keep their health and safety information in one place. That includes risk assessments, hazard reports, inductions, training, inspections and maintenance records.
FAQ
When do the new farm safety codes start?
Both codes start on 1 April 2027. Changes to the Health and Safety at Work Act start on the same day.
Are ACOPs legally binding?
No. The Act is the law, and an ACOP is a guide to meeting it. But an ACOP sets a recognised standard for compliance. If you use a different method, it needs to be at least as safe.
Do the codes add new legal duties?
No. The codes explain duties you already have. The wider law changes do change some duties from 1 April 2027.
Do the codes apply to small farms?
Yes. The codes are relevant to farming businesses of any size. Separately, the law changes mean businesses with fewer than 20 workers must manage critical risks ahead of other risks from 1 April 2027.
Who’s responsible when a contractor is on the farm?
Often both of you. You can hand over a task, but you can’t hand over your legal duty. The Roles and Responsibilities code explains how to share information and coordinate safety.
Disclaimer: Content on this website may be of relevance to users outside of Australia, but content links and examples are specific to Australia. Please check with your local authority for your country and industry requirements.
