NEW ZEALAND

Pets

Live animals must meet specific conditions to enter New Zealand. These will depend on the type of animal and country of origin. Entry conditions are described in the appropriate Import Health Standard (IHS) for the animal you wish to import. Importation is not possible if there is no import health standard for that animal.

The requirements for bringing pets into New Zealand depend on the type of animal, where it's from and if there is an existing import health standard.

Current conditions and disease concerns mean that there are very few types of pets allowed into New Zealand. Importation is currently limited to dogs and cats from certain countries, rabbits from Australia and chinchillas from the United Kingdom.

Other countries (eg, USA, Canada, South Africa) are rabies controlled – these countries have rabies but it is managed through vaccination and surveillance. Dogs and cats from these countries must follow a specific procedure of rabies vaccination and blood testing before importation can be considered. They must also complete a number of other tests and treatments as well as complete quarantine on arrival. Quarantine facilities are owned by private companies approved by MAFBNZ and contact details are here. Some pets will not need to be quarantined, but will need a tick inspection on arrival.

Pets on yachts:

There are special import health standards for dogs and cats coming into New Zealand on a yacht.

Disability assistance dogs:

There is a specific import health standard for disability assistance dogs. This standard must be used in association with the dog/cat import health standard that covers the assistance dog's country of origin.

Pet fish:

Pet fish may be imported under the Import Health Standard for the importation of Ornamental Fish and Marine Invertebrates. Only species listed in this standard are eligible for importation and must complete post arrival quarantine on arrival in New Zealand. Fish quarantine facilities are owned by private individuals approved by MAFBNZ.

General Information

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (commonly called the North Island and the South Island), and numerous smaller islands, most notably Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Chatham Islands.New Zealand is notable for its geographic isolation: it is situated about 2000 km (1250 miles) southeast of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and its closest neighbors to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga.