Pet travel route
Taking a dog or cat from Norfolk Island → New Zealand
What the official rules ask for on this route, for a family pet travelling with its owner. Enter your travel date and your pet’s details to turn it into a dated checklist.
Limited official guidance. The authority for entering New Zealand publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. This follows the 2026 Import Health Standard (in force from 1 July 2026). It sends many details to MPI's separate list of approved vaccines, tests and treatments, which we don't reproduce: your vet needs it. Pets coming from Australia are not covered yet. Until 1 April 2027 the 2021 standard can still be used instead, which we have not read.
Which rules apply to you
Norfolk Island is in the group “Category 1: Australia (including Norfolk Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands)” in New Zealand’s published list.See every group
Headlines for New Zealand
- Rabies blood test for some origins
- Import permit for some pets
- Quarantine possible
- Extra disease test for some origins
- Some origins not allowed
What your dog needs
Dogs
Australia is New Zealand's Category 1 country, with its own pathway. We haven't built it yet.
We haven’t verified the leaving side for Norfolk Island yet: its official veterinary authority usually has to issue or endorse the health certificate.
Good to know
- We have not verified the export process for NF yet. Your country's official veterinary authority usually has to issue or endorse the health certificate.
- Banned in New Zealand: Brazilian Fila, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Perro de Presa Canario and American Pit Bull Terrier-type dogs (any dog that belongs wholly or predominantly to them).
- Bengal cats can be imported. Other hybrid cats and dogs are likely to be treated as 'new organisms' and need approval from the Environmental Protection Authority before they come.
What your cat needs
Cats
Australia is New Zealand's Category 1 country, with its own pathway. We haven't built it yet.
We haven’t verified the leaving side for Norfolk Island yet: its official veterinary authority usually has to issue or endorse the health certificate.
Good to know
- We have not verified the export process for NF yet. Your country's official veterinary authority usually has to issue or endorse the health certificate.
- Bengal cats can be imported. Other hybrid cats and dogs are likely to be treated as 'new organisms' and need approval from the Environmental Protection Authority before they come.
Common questions
Does my dog need a rabies blood test to go from Norfolk Island to New Zealand?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for a rabies blood test.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog into New Zealand?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for an import permit.
Will my dog be quarantined in New Zealand?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
Does my dog need a microchip?
The official rules we have verified for this route don't list a microchip requirement.