About this consultation

WorkSafe sought feedback on the draft content of an approved code of practice (ACOP) for Roles and responsibilities in agriculture.

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 draft ACOP focused on situations where two or more businesses have health and safety responsibilities for the same work. It makes clear that while tasks can be delegated, legal obligations cannot. The level of responsibility depends on who has influence and control over the work, the workplace or the equipment at the time.

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 health and safety decision-making.

Consultation period

The consultation ran from Monday 20 April to Sunday 10 May 2026.

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 may not come into force until at least 28 days after it has been notified in the Gazette.

WorkSafe may run implementation activities to support the sector to effectively use the ACOP in their everyday practices. The exact details are to be confirmed.