Legal Obligations for Dog Owners and Guardians in NZ

What pets can I bring into New Zealand?

The main aim of this Bill is to amend the Animal Welfare Act 1999 (the Act) to increase the maximum sentence for animal cruelty from three to five years, create a new offence of reckless cruelty to animals, and to "make the Animal Welfare Act work better"

https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-digests/document/49PLLawBD17431/animal-welfare-amendment-bill-2010-bills-digest-no-1743

The Animal Welfare Act 1999 governs the welfare of animals in New Zealand. 

http://scienceonline.tki.org.nz/Teaching-science/Ethics/Caring-for-Animals/The-law/The-Animal-Welfare-Act-1999

It is rewarding owning a dog, but it can be expensive. Dogs need company, care and plenty of exercise. New Zealand has rules around dog ownership to protect our dogs and the general public.

https://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/resources/owning-a-dog

Animal welfare refers to the state of the animal; the treatment that an animal receives is covered by other terms such as animal care, animal husbandry, and humane treatment. ¹. Protecting an animal's welfare means providing for its physical and mental needs.

https://www.avma.org/resources/animal-health-welfare/animal-welfare-what-it