Bringing a dog into New Zealand: the complete MPI import guide

New Zealand's biosecurity regime for importing live animals is designed around a single principle: protecting an island ecosystem that evolved without many of the pathogens, parasites, and predators present everywhere else in the world. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) enforces some of the most rigorous live animal import conditions in the world. Getting it wrong is not just an administrative problem — animals that arrive without meeting all conditions can be refused entry, returned to origin at the owner's cost, or in the worst case, euthanised. This guide covers the current requirements for importing dogs into New Zealand as of mid-2026.

The three-country-category system

MPI categorises all countries of origin into three tiers for dog imports. The tier your dog is coming from determines the preparation pathway, the waiting periods, and the quarantine requirement on arrival.

• Category 1 — Australia (including Norfolk Island): lowest-risk profile; pre-clearance pathway; Category 1 dogs are generally exempt from quarantine on arrival when fully compliant with all IHS conditions — subject to inspection on arrival. No other countries are in Category 1.
• Category 2 — Rabies-free countries and territories: standard IHS pathway with RNATT titre and 90-day wait; typically 10 days managed isolation on arrival. Specific country assignments follow MPI's IHS §5.3 — consult the current IHS document rather than any list published by third parties, as country placements can change.
• Category 3 — Countries where rabies is absent or well-controlled but additional requirements apply: dogs require MPI advance approval before travel; may require extended managed isolation on arrival; contact MPI directly before making any arrangements.

Core requirements for a Category 1 or 2 import

• Microchip: ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit microchip, implanted and verified before any vaccination or test
• Rabies vaccination: two vaccinations at least 30 days apart, with the second completed at least 30 days before the RNATT blood draw. Booster protocols must be documented
• RNATT (Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test): blood drawn at a MPI-approved lab; result must show ≥0.5 IU/mL; the 90-day wait (Category 2) starts from the blood draw date
• Tapeworm treatment: for dogs from Category 2 countries, a praziquantel treatment (dose and timing per IHS) within the specified window before travel
• Health certificate: completed by a government-authorised veterinarian in the country of origin; must be on the MPI-approved template
• Approved MPI import permit: applied for and approved before travel; without this, MPI cannot process arrival
• Quarantine facility (Category 2 and 3): dogs from Category 2 and 3 countries enter a Ministry-approved quarantine facility on arrival in New Zealand; Category 1 (Australia) dogs are generally exempt when fully compliant. Owner must book a facility space in advance where required — confirm with MPI.

2026 transition: the new Import Health Standard (IHS)

MPI has issued a new Import Health Standard (IHS) for dogs, which came into effect on 1 July 2026. A 9-month transition period runs until 1 April 2027. During the transition, both the previous IHS and the new IHS are valid for in-progress applications — you may complete a pathway that was already under way under the previous document. From 1 April 2027, only the new IHS will apply. If you are in the process of preparing to import a dog, confirm with MPI or an accredited import agent which version applies to your application and check that your preparation steps meet the current requirements.

Prohibited breeds in New Zealand

Under the Dog Control Act 1996, New Zealand prohibits the import of American Pit Bull Terriers, Dogo Argentinos, Japanese Tosas, Perro de Presa Canarios, and Brazilian Filas. The prohibition applies to dogs that are "wholly or predominantly" of these types. Biosecurity clearance cannot cure a prohibited breed status — if your dog is of a prohibited type, it will not be permitted entry regardless of compliance with the IHS. Confirm breed status before beginning any import process.

• MPI import enquiries and accredited agent register: mpi.govt.nz/importing
• MPI-approved RNATT laboratories: listed in the current IHS document (not all international labs are approved)
• Approved quarantine facilities in New Zealand: listed at mpi.govt.nz; Auckland is the primary arrival port for live animal imports
• NZ Customs — biosecurity declarations on arrival: all live animals must be declared; non-declaration is a criminal offence under the Biosecurity Act 1993