Disease Control Area (DCA) map

Four types of DCA

New Zealand is divided into 4 DCA types. Each area has different TB testing frequencies and movement control measures, depending on the risk of TB being transferred from infected wildlife — mainly possums — to cattle and deer.

Movement Control Area (MCA)

In MCAs, all cattle or deer on a farm are tested annually. Cattle over 3 months and deer over 8 months of age must have a TB test before they move within an MCA. You must complete the movement within 60 days of the pre-movement test. Stock going direct to slaughter don't require a pre-movement test.

Moving animals from a Movement Control Area (MCA)

Special Testing Area — Annual

In these areas, cattle over 12 months and deer over 15 months of age are tested annually.

Special Testing Area — Biennial

In these areas, cattle and deer over 24 months of age are tested every 2 years.

Surveillance Area

Testing is targeted at farms at higher risk of contracting or spreading TB. Risk factors include: a higher frequency of animal movements on or off the farm; animal movements from higher-risk areas (like those under movement control) or herds; and poor quality NAIT records. For some farms this may mean a call to present animals, for TB testing, sooner than expected (after their last whole herd test). Whereas others may not hear from us for long periods of time.

Find out if your property is in a disease control area

The current disease control areas are valid until 31 January 2026.

If your property is near or across a disease control area boundary on the map below, contact our Support Centre to find out about the TB testing policy in your area.

Map showing disease control area boundaries in New Zealand. Disease control areas shown include movement control areas (in orange), yearly special testing areas (in lime green), two-yearly special testing areas (in mid-green) and surveillance areas (in dark grey).