International Pet Transport to Christchurch

International pet transport to Christchurch is direct from Australia via Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth flying with Virgin Australia. Flight time is approximately three and a half hours.

International Pet Travel Requirements for Cats and Dogs

• Airline-approved pet travel crate
• Annual vaccination
• Babesia blood test  (dogs only)
• Customs clearance
• Australian Government accredited veterinary consultation
• Australian Government export permit
• Australian Government health certificate
• External parasite treatment A
• External parasite treatment B
• Heart worm blood test (dogs only)
• Internal parasite treatment A
• Internal parasite treatment B
• Microchip
• Ministry of Primary Industries veterinary examination

International Pet Relocation Arrival

Our team can arrange for your pet to be collected from Christchurch Airport and transported to your home or office via our international pet relocation partner. Pets can also be collected from the Air New Zealand Cargo Facility.

Air New Zealand Cargo

Location: Crn Ron Guthrey & Richard Pearse Roads, Christchurch Airport

Phone: 03 378 2500
Hours of Operation: 5am to 11pm, seven days a week

Local Pet Requirements

Dog owners must register their pets annually with the local council and will receive a registration disc or strap. Registration fees will be lower for dogs that are de-sexed or holders of a Responsible Dog Owner Licence. There is no requirement by law for registration or licensing of cats.

Living in Christchurch with a dog

Christchurch is home to over 38 thousand dogs, which translates to around one pooch for every ten people in Christchurch. The city is welcoming of doggies of all sizes and breeds, and there are several dog-friendly public places and activities to enjoy with your favourite canine. As a pet parent in Christchurch, you and your doggy pal have access to wonderful outdoor activities – from long walks in one of the many dog-friendly parks to a day at a dog-friendly beach – the city has it all. Take your doggy to a pet-friendly restaurant or spend a day hiking in the great outdoors of New Zealand – you and your pet have lots to love in this beautiful city. 

Did you know?

New Zealand is home to a large number of endemic birds such as the Kea, which is one of the most intelligent birds in the world, the flightless Weka, which loves all types of shiny objects, and the beautiful Takahe, which has a brilliant indigo plumage and a bright red beak.

About Christchurch

Christchurch, also called the Garden City, is the largest city in New Zealand’s South Island. It is one of the newest cities in New Zealand and is a happy mixture of heritage and urban regeneration. The city has a beautiful mix of the old and the new, where cutting-edge, modern architecture rubs shoulders with old-world heritage buildings. You can explore the best of art, adventure, local cuisine, nature and wildlife, and Maori culture at Christchurch.