Wellington — June 2, 2026 — The New Zealand Government has endorsed a new National Pest Management Plan for TB, aiming to eradicate bovine tuberculosis (TB) from both livestock and possums by 2040. The plan, announced by Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard, is being implemented in partnership with the beef, dairy, and deer industries.
Possums, identified as the primary carriers of TB to farmed cattle and deer, will be targeted in “hot spot” regions of the central North Island, Hawke’s Bay, and Otago. An independent review concluded that eliminating infected possums in these areas is essential to permanently protect herds.
Minister Hoggard highlighted that New Zealand is close to achieving zero infected herds, with just 16 herds nationwide still affected. “We can’t get rid of bovine TB without getting rid of infected possums. If they remain, they will keep reinfecting our dairy, beef and deer herds,” he said.
Funding for the programme will remain at $60 million annually for the next five years, with farmers contributing 60% and the Government 40%. A review of progress and long-term funding requirements will be conducted after 2031 to ensure sustainability.
OSPRI, which administers the TBfree Plan, is introducing operational changes, including a shift from blanket TB testing to a more focused surveillance approach. This will reduce compliance costs for farmers while ensuring herds remain protected.
The plan underscores the importance of collective action across the agricultural sector. “As long as TB is still present here, no matter how small the areas of infection, we are still farming with a big hurdle. The work we do now will make farming easier in the future,” Hoggard added.
