Managing StockNekenga kararehe

Grazing Stock

Did you know that you are able to use the roadside for grazing stock?

Just get in touch with our team on 06 857 8069 and let them know:

• your name and contact details,
• where and when you will be grazing stock, and
• the number of stock grazing.

Apply for a permit to temporarily graze stock on the roadside by completing this online form. 

Things to consider when grazing stock on the roadside

1. Make sure you have adequate temporary fencing (no use of waratahs allowed) erected to keep your stock safe on the property side of the road drain, and that stock are kept well clear of culverts.

2. If you are grazing on a roadside that isn’t directly out the front of your property, make sure you have permission from the appropriate owner of the property you are fronting

3. All stock must be removed before dark due to keep drivers, stock and the community safe.

4. All stock grazing on state highways must be approved by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. Please email oliver.postings@nzta.govt.nz for approval. 

5. Call us on 06 857 8060 to register your stock grazing on a roadside and we can include and allow for this activity in our mowing schedule. 

To all travellers driving on our roads, you may see an increase in the number of stock grazing on the roadside during drought conditions so please take extra care and limit your speed.

If you see stock out wandering on the road, please call us on 06 857 8060 anytime and one of our Animal Services team will look into it. 

Moving Stock

Moving stock within the district is governed by Council's Part 5 – Livestock Movement and Animals in Public Places Bylaw 2018.

A person may move livestock along or across any road within the district when:

• they are returning livestock to a farm in the case of an escape or an emergency, or
• it is along any roads that are not listed in Schedule 1 of the bylaw as restricted from moving livestock.

Things to consider when moving stock

1. The movement of livestock needs to be completed in any one day.

2. Each mob must be accompanied by one experienced drover for any number of cattle up to and including 300 head, or for any number of other livestock up to and including 1,500 head; and two experienced drovers for any number of cattle exceeding 300 head or any number of other livestock exceeding 1,500 head.

3. The drover must keep the animals moving along the road at all times so as to make reasonable progress towards the destination.

4. Animals must be moved in such a manner and using only such points of access/exit to and from the road that minimises danger to other road users, the road and road reserve, and any Council or private property.

5. Each mob must be accompanied at the front by either a pilot vehicle or a sign that is placed where it is clearly visible and gives adequate warning of livestock movements to other road users; and at the back by either a pilot vehicle or a sign that is placed where it is clearly visible and gives adequate warning of livestock movements to other road users.

Droving permits

If you are droving stock on Council roads for more than one day, you will require a droving permit. If you own land and pay rates in Central Hawke's Bay, you will be issued a droving permit at no cost. Residents of areas outside of the district will be charged a fee.

Apply for a droving permit by completing and submitting this online form.

Or you can call us on 06 857 8060 and we can help you. Please allow for 48 hours' notice when applying for a droving permit.

Please have the following details ready when applying for a droving permit:

• Full name of person applying
• Full name, address and phone number of the owner of the stock
• Full name and address of the head drover
• If droving cattle, a current TB certificate number and date of issue
• The number and type of stock being moved
• Any identification, e.g. ear tags or marks on the stock
• The number of drovers and dogs being used
• The date and intended movement route for each day of the drove and where stock will be held overnight

The permit will supply you with any additional safety information/details that may apply to your route, e.g. road works if known, etc. It will also state any general requirements that the Animal Services team may impose on the drove.