Because New Zealand is an island nation that has never been connected to any major land mass, we have unique flora and fauna and an absence of some diseases and organisms that are common elsewhere in the world. We also have an economy in which agriculture is important and benefits to the extent of billions of dollars from the absence of those diseases and organisms. Put those two things together and you have a situation that most people in the world are not used to; New Zealanders really do care about and we do really take seriously the importation of living organisms and any product that might contain diseases including diseases of animals, plants and even insects.
You will see that when you arrive at an airport. Every piece of baggage will be sniffed by dogs trained to identify food or flowers in your hand luggage that may contain diseases you had never thought about. Behind the scenes, your packed luggage will be x-rayed by special equipment designed to locate not drugs or explosives, but plants and food! (And if any is found, your bags will be opened and you may receive an instant fine because you will have been warned!)
With that background, please don’t be surprised when they tell you that bringing your cat or dog may not be straight forward; may incur significant costs and may require a period of quarantine. The link below will give you full details.
Click here to get the full story on bringing your pet
You will see that when you arrive at an airport. Every piece of baggage will be sniffed by dogs trained to identify food or flowers in your hand luggage that may contain diseases you had never thought about. Behind the scenes, your packed luggage will be x-rayed by special equipment designed to locate not drugs or explosives, but plants and food! (And if any is found, your bags will be opened and you may receive an instant fine because you will have been warned!)
With that background, please don’t be surprised when they tell you that bringing your cat or dog may not be straight forward; may incur significant costs and may require a period of quarantine. The link below will give you full details.
Click here to get the full story on bringing your pet
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