About this consultation

WorkSafe is seeking feedback on the draft content of an approved code of practice (ACOP) for Safe farm vehicle operation.

ACOPs are a recognised, practical way for businesses and workers to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and its regulations.

The Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety is responsible for deciding whether or not to approve the ACOP.

Purpose of this ACOP

The ACOP is intended to provide farmers, workers and contractors with clear practices for the safe use of high-risk farm vehicles and attached machinery associated with the highest levels of harm. For example, quad bikes, side-by-sides, motorbikes, utes, four-wheel-drive vehicles, tractors and attached implements such as mowers and trailers that affect vehicle stability or function.

It also provides clearer information about children on farms, to distinguish between farm work and home life.  

Real-life scenarios are used to show what good practice can look like to help reduce uncertainty and support work health and safety decision making.

Consultation documents

Please read the draft ACOP:

Use the online form below to provide your feedback on the draft ACOP. You don’t need to answer every section; just complete the sections that are relevant to you.

Online feedback form(external link)

Please note:

• When providing feedback, we ask you to include the paragraph number of the section you are referring to so we can accurately match your comment to the draft content.
• Please add one comment per box on the online form.
• This draft does not necessarily represent WorkSafe’s final position on the information contained within the document.

Consultation period

The consultation opens on Monday 20 April and closes on Sunday 10 May 2026.

Why your feedback matters

Your feedback will help ensure this draft ACOP:

• is clear and easy to understand
• is practical and workable in everyday situations on NZ farms
• provides certainty about roles, responsibilities and expectations for health and safety
• helps reduce preventable harm in this high‑risk sector.

What we’re asking people to do

• Read the draft – even just the sections relevant to your work, business or interests.
• Look at the examples and consider whether they match real work scenarios.
• Think about how the ACOP might apply in your business or part of the sector.
• Discuss the draft with others if needed such as co‑workers, contractors, other business owners, health and safety advisors or industry groups.
• Use the online form below to share your feedback. We’re particularly interested in:
  • what you found useful
  • what might be missing or wrong
  • the practicalities of the actions described in the ACOP
  • any suggestions you have to help make the ACOP more useful and workable in your sector.

You don’t need to provide feedback on all sections, just the parts that relate to your work, business or interest. Real‑world experiences and honest feedback are exactly what we’re looking for.

Alignment with legislative reforms

The draft ACOP will align with the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill, which is currently before a parliamentary select committee. WorkSafe is ensuring the draft ACOPs are consistent with any changes to legislation.

As part of the Bill, following an ACOP would provide a form of legal protection known as ‘safe harbour’. This means that a business that complies with what the ACOP sets out would be treated as having met the relevant legal duty.

Although an ACOP isn’t mandatory to follow, it sets a standard for compliance with work health and safety duties.

Contact us

If you have any questions, please email ACOPconsultation@worksafe.govt.nz. In the subject line please specify the name of this ACOP.

Next steps after consultation

After public consultation closes, we will:

• collate and consider all feedback received
• revise the draft ACOP (including any legislative changes)
• publish on this website a high-level summary of the feedback and the changes made to the draft ACOP as a result of the feedback
• hold further consultation on the updated draft
• present the final ACOP to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety who is responsible for deciding whether or not to approve the ACOP.

If the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety approves the ACOP, it will be gazetted and made publicly available on WorkSafe’s website so businesses and workers can begin using it.

The NZ Gazette notice specifies the commencement date. A newly approved ACOP does not come into force until 28 days after it has been notified in the Gazette.

Privacy

The Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) allows New Zealand citizens and permanent residents, or anyone in New Zealand, to request official information from the government – including copies of submissions.

We will let you know if we receive an OIA request for a copy of your submission. The content of your submission may be made available to the public; however, you can indicate on the response form whether you would prefer your details to be kept confidential.

We will manage any personal information you supply in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020.