How West Coast farmers are making NZFAP work

As farm assurance planning becomes increasingly important across New Zealand’s primary industries, Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) has recently invested in supporting West Coast deer farmers through one-on-one sessions focused on the New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme (NZFAP).

NZFAP is a national standard designed to ensure authentic and independently verified traceability, food safety, animal welfare, and environmental responsibility in red meat and wool production. For many farmers, the programme builds on practices they’re already doing, adding structure, record-keeping, and assurance to customers and processors.

George Coates, a deer farmer based in Barrytown (Seventeen Mile Beach), has been farming deer since 1988, alongside sheep and dairy heifer grazing. He says the on-farm session provided clarity and confidence to begin their base-level farm assurance programme.

“As a result of the session, we have gone ahead and are getting the base starting farm assurance programme,” George says. “What NZFAP does is give those buying the product, assurance that we are doing a good job with animal health.”

George also noted the support from Mountain River Venison, the company they supply to, who are not only offering a premium for NZFAP-certified supply but is also offering to cover the cost of a consenting auditor related to the NZFAP.

“If it was going to cost us thousands to get things up to standard, we’d need a huge premium,” he says. “But given the premium and the support, I think it’s worth doing.”

While he supports the industry-led approach, George expressed concern around government mandated farm programmes and plans, warning that if not clearly defined, they could shift from an educational tool to a regulatory burden for farmers depending on future government policy.

Billy Bartrum, a farm environmental consultant with Rural Consulting Limited, visited West Coast deer farmers as part of the initiative.

“It was awesome to catch up with the deer farmers, see some incredible farms, and work through the NZFAP,” Billy says.  “It’s really about pulling together what’s already being done or required—checking where the gaps are and making sure the record-keeping is there.”

He noted that the farmers were at different stages, some starting with their first NZFAP components and others building on their base level with NZFAP Plus, which includes additional components like people, environment, and biosecurity.

Integrated farm planning is a core part of NZFAP Plus, helping to protect natural resources, improve business sustainability, and encourage socially responsible practices. To participate in NZFAP Plus, farmers must already be NZFAP-certified.

DINZ’s Sarah O’Connell emphasised the organisation’s ongoing support: “We’re always open to members getting in touch if they need help with farm plans,” she says.

“Farm assurance plans are becoming a standard part of farming operations, especially with the increasing need for certification to supply processors. It’s worth understanding what they involve and how they could affect your business in the long term.”