Impounding Act 1955

Provisions for stock found straying or wandering on roads, and for wild stock - Special provisions as to stock too wild to impound

39: Purchaser of wild stock may pursue and take the same

You could also call this:

"Buyer of wild animals can collect them from the land they are on"

If you buy wild stock that was sold under certain rules, you must take possession of it as soon as possible. You can go onto the land where the stock is grazing to get it, and you can get help if you need it. If some of the stock is too wild and stops you from getting the rest, you can destroy those animals.

When you are recovering your stock, you must be careful not to damage the occupier's property. If you do cause damage, you will be liable for it. This means you will have to pay for any damage you cause while getting your stock.

You can find more information about how this rule works by looking at what was said in section 38, which explains how the stock was sold to you in the first place.

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This page was last updated on 19 July 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM294200.

Topics:

Environment and resources > Farming and fishing

38: Wild stock trespassing on land, or

"What to do if wild animals are on your land without permission"

40: Occupier may destroy wild stock unsold or not removed by purchaser, or

"You can get rid of wild animals on your land if they didn't sell or the buyer didn't take them."

Part 6Provisions for stock found straying or wandering on roads, and for wild stock
Special provisions as to stock too wild to impound

39Purchaser of wild stock may pursue and take the same

Where stock is sold in accordance with the provisions of subsection (2) of section 38, the purchaser shall as soon as possible take possession of the stock, and for that purpose may, with necessary and proper assistance, enter upon the land where the stock is depasturing and may destroy any of the stock that by its wildness prevents or impedes him in the recovery of the remainder.
Any such purchaser shall be liable for any damage occasioned to any property of the occupier incurred while recovering or mustering his stock in accordance with subsection (1).

Compare

1908 No 79 s 22