Cats in New Zealand: rules and travel
Dogs over 3 months must be registered with the local council every year and microchipped when first registered. Cats have no national registration or microchip duty, though some councils require it.
Councils set dog registration fees, leash areas, dog number limits and any cat microchip or desexing bylaws; the Dog Control Act sets the national framework.
Registration and microchip
No national cat microchip duty. Some councils require it, for example Palmerston North (cats born after 1 July 2018, microchip and desex by 6 months). Registration on the NZ Companion Animal Register is a one-off fee of about NZ$15 to NZ$25.[1]
Cat tax
No cat tax or cat licence found.
Keeping rules
Local cat bylaws may require microchipping, registration and desexing; this is council by council.[1]
Travelling to New Zealand with a cat
Import permit from MPI (about NZ$268, at least 30 working days), microchip, 6 months residence in an approved country, rabies vaccination and titre test for Category 3 countries, parasite treatments, final vet exam within 2 days of flying, and at least 10 days in MPI quarantine. Because of the vaccination and test timings, pets from Category 3 countries are usually about 9 months old or more at shipment. Which category each EU country falls in was not confirmed.[2]
Same process; Category 2 (rabies-free) countries skip rabies vaccination and titre but still need a permit, microchip, treatments and quarantine. Category 1 is Australia, which needs no mandatory quarantine by air and no permit. Bengal cats are eligible. Other hybrid cats are likely to need Environmental Protection Authority approval as new organisms.[2]
Category 3: vaccination at 12 weeks or older, with a primary vaccination given at least 6 months before shipment, and an RNATT (FAVN or RFFIT) taken 3 to 12 months before shipment, result at least 0.5 IU/ml.[3]
Category 2 and 3 pets spend at least 10 days in an MPI-approved quarantine facility; longer if fleas or ticks are found.[2]
What a cat costs in New Zealand
Running costs for an average cat of about 4.5 kg, from current prices: about 1,433 NZD a year, 1,518 NZD in the first year with gear and microchip. Each breed page has its own figure.
| Food | 775 NZD about 27 kg of dry food a year source |
|---|---|
| Routine vet care | 178 NZD source |
| Pet insurance | 480 NZD typical policy, varies by breed and age source |
Not confirmed yet: Registration. We only show what an official or named source states.
Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.