Equine exports to New Zealand – Microchip identification

Attention

• Equine exporters
• Registered veterinarians preparing horses for export
• Departmental Staff

Purpose

To advise of new identification requirements for equine consignments destined for New Zealand (NZ) from Australia.

Key points

• From 1 February 2025, NZ Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will require all equines imported from Australia to be identified by a microchip.
• Government certification (i.e. the health certificate) issued by the department will only include microchip numbers as the form of identification.
• Silhouette, brands or other forms of identification will no longer be accepted. 
• The microchip number for each equine must be included on all laboratory reports relevant to that equine.

Instructions

1. Equine exporters must ensure all equines arriving in New Zealand on or after 1 February 2025 are identified with a microchip. The microchip number must be included on all documentation, including laboratory reports.
2. After 1 February 2025, where an exporter seeks to export an equine to NZ that has not been microchipped or has concerns about a microchip, they should seek written confirmation from NZ MPI that this is acceptable and provide this to the department.

Background
NZ MPI requested in September 2024 that Australia use microchips only to identify equines in government certification.