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Nitrogen reports are required annually, no later than 31 July (for the preceding 12-month period to 30 June).

The national requirement to report synthetic nitrogen fertiliser use applies to farms of 20 hectares or greater where dairy cows are grazed, and to non-complying activity consent holders.

You may be contacted by us if you have not yet provided your data.

The broader national requirement to ensure no more than 190 kilograms of synthetic nitrogen per hectare is used per year applies to all farms 20 hectares or larger with any grazed land. Follow this flowchart to check whether it applies to you.

Unsure how to use the Regional and unitary council’s N-Cap web portal?

This video playlist provides instructions on using the Te Uru Kahika Nitrogen Cap web form. It is to be used by farmers, consultants or managers who are looking to report their synthetic nitrogen use (or lack thereof) on farms in New Zealand.

These videos refer to the N-cap webform by Te Uru Kahika - Regional and Unitary Councils Aotearoa.

Ballance and Ravensdown also provide tools you can use to record nitrogen use.

New Zealand nitrogen cap (N-Cap) reporting YouTube playlist
How do I report my nitrogen use?

Here’s a handy checklist to help you plan in advance of the annual reporting deadline.

Three options are available for you to report your use when you’re ready. You only need to submit your annual report once and can use any one of these tools to do so.

Once submitted, we will be notified automatically, so you do not need to report your usage to Waikato Regional Council separately.

If you’re not currently a client of one of the two suppliers that offer reporting apps, you may still be able to arrange with them to report your use via their platforms.

How do I use the reporting tools?

If you’re unsure of how to use the Ravensdown’s HawkEye app, please follow this guidance.

If you’re unsure of how to use the Ballance’s MyBallance app, please follow this guidance.

If you’re unsure of how to use the Regional and unitary council’s N-Cap web portal, please follow this guidance.

 

Most common questions

Common reporting questions

Record keeping

Other FAQs

Where can I find out more?

The Ministry for the Environment has prepared some useful guidance for different types of farms and farm support services.

Fertiliser suppliers and industry associations are also great sources of information and support.

If you still have questions, please submit them here and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.