Pet Relocation to New Zealand from South Africa
Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown or anywhere else in New Zealand.
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Moving to New Zealand with your pet means preparing for one of the strictest pet import processes in the world. New Zealand’s biosecurity rules protect its unique environment, and no variations are allowed unless explicitly stated, so careful planning and precise documentation are essential.
Whether you’re relocating to Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown or anywhere else in New Zealand, Sky Companion manages every aspect of your pet’s journey, from vaccinations and blood tests to the import permit, flights and quarantine planning.
Because the rabies vaccination must be more than 6 months old on the day your pet travels, preparation for New Zealand takes at least six months. The earlier we start, the smoother the journey.
New Zealand Pet Import Requirements
Before your pet can travel from South Africa to New Zealand, several mandatory requirements must be completed.
Minimum Age Requirement
Dogs and cats must be 9 months or older for entry into New Zealand.
Microchip Identification
A microchip must be implanted and registered on the manufacturer’s database before any vaccinations or other procedures are done.
Any procedures done before microchipping will be invalid.
Rabies Vaccination
The rabies vaccination must be done after microchip implantation. At the time of travel, it must be:
- Older than 6 months.
- No older than 12 months.
Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT)
New Zealand requires an RNATT blood test. Requirements include:
- Blood drawn at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination.
- A result of 0.5 IU/ml or higher.
- A mandatory 3-calendar-month waiting period from the date of the blood draw before travel.
- The RNATT is valid for 24 months.
Annual Core Vaccinations
Core vaccinations must be current before travel:
- Dogs: 5-in-1 vaccination and Kennel Cough vaccination
- Cats: 3-in-1 vaccination and Feline Calicivirus vaccination
These must be older than 30 days but no older than 12 months at the time of travel.
Pre-Travel Testing and Treatment
Within 30 days before departure, your pet must undergo three blood tests and additional treatments as required by New Zealand.
Health Certificate
A health certificate must be issued by a South African private veterinarian, confirming that all health requirements are met and your pet is fit to fly.
The certificate must be signed and stamped by the vet and is valid for only 5 days from the date of issue. We provide the correct, pre-filled certificate for your vet to sign.
State Veterinarian Endorsement
Final approval from the South African State Veterinarian is required before departure.
Import Permit
An official import permit from New Zealand is required before your pet can travel.
Sky Companion assists with preparing the necessary documentation to help ensure your application is complete.
Quarantine Requirements
New Zealand requires 10 days of mandatory quarantine on arrival.
Our team helps you prepare for quarantine so your pet’s arrival goes as smoothly as possible.
Prohibited Dog Breeds
The following breeds are not allowed entry into New Zealand:
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- Japanese Tosa
- Pit Bull Terrier / American Pit Bull Terrier
- Perro de Presa Canario
- Wolf-dog hybrids, and crosses of any of the above breeds
Download the New Zealand Pet Travel Requirements
Need a complete checklist before you begin?
Download our New Zealand Pet Travel Requirements Guide for a detailed overview of every step involved in relocating your pet from South Africa to New Zealand.
How Sky Companion Makes the Process Easy
New Zealand has one of the world’s most detailed pet import processes, but you don’t have to manage it alone. Sky Companion provides complete relocation support, including:
- Personal relocation planning
- Veterinary scheduling and guidance
- Microchip verification
- Vaccination planning
- RNATT coordination
- Pre-travel testing and treatment scheduling
- Import permit assistance
- Health certificate preparation
- State Veterinarian coordination
- IATA-compliant travel crate guidance
- Flight booking and airline coordination
- Quarantine preparation
Our experienced relocation specialists work closely with veterinarians, airlines and government authorities to ensure every requirement is completed correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old must my pet be to travel to New Zealand?
Dogs and cats must be at least 9 months old for entry into New Zealand.
How long does it take to prepare a pet for New Zealand?
Plan for at least six months. The rabies vaccination must be more than 6 months old on the day of travel, and there is a mandatory 3-calendar-month wait after the RNATT blood draw.
Will my pet have to stay in quarantine?
Yes. New Zealand requires 10 days of mandatory quarantine on arrival.
Which dog breeds can’t enter New Zealand?
Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, Pit Bull Terrier or American Pit Bull Terrier, Perro de Presa Canario, wolf-dog hybrids, and crosses of any of these breeds.
Can Sky Companion manage the entire relocation?
Absolutely. We coordinate every aspect of your pet’s relocation, from veterinary preparation and the import permit to airline arrangements and quarantine planning.