Can You Own a Monkey in NZ? No — Here's the Law (2026)

No, you cannot own a monkey in New Zealand. Non-human primates are not permitted as private companion pets anywhere in the country. Under Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) biosecurity standards, there is no pet import pathway for monkeys, and they are classified as new organisms under environmental protection laws. In practice, primates can only be imported into and held in containment facilities approved by MPI, such as zoos.

The quick answer: Can you have a pet monkey in New Zealand?

In New Zealand, you cannot keep a monkey, ape or any other non-human primate as a private pet.

You cannot purchase a pet monkey, import one from overseas, breed one, or acquire one through any domestic channel.

Primates in New Zealand zoos—such as Auckland Zoo, Wellington Zoo and Orana Wildlife Park—are held in containment. MPI says zoo animals imported into New Zealand spend the rest of their lives in a containment facility, in most cases a zoo, and will never be released.

Biosecurity and MPI Import Health Standards: Zero pet pathway

New Zealand’s isolation as an island nation has protected it from many serious wildlife and livestock pathogens. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) strictly governs which living animals may cross the national border under the Biosecurity Act 1993.

Key points:

• Strictly limited pet species: Other than cats and dogs, MPI says only three species can be imported as pets: chinchillas from Great Britain, and rabbits and guinea pigs from Australia. Some fish species can also be imported through a separate process. Monkeys are not on the list.
• Zoo imports only: MPI says only operators of an approved containment facility for zoo animals, such as a zoo or animal park, can import zoo animals, and the species must be approved by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and covered by an import health standard.
• Disease risk to people: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says B virus can spread from infected macaque monkeys to people, usually through a bite or scratch, or contact with the monkey's eyes, nose or mouth. Infection is extremely rare, but it can lead to severe brain damage or death without immediate treatment.

Details on allowable species and border protocols can be reviewed on the MPI non-cat and non-dog pet import page.

Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act: New Organism status

Beyond border controls, new organisms are regulated under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO Act), and approvals are decided by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

The EPA defines a new organism as including any organism that was not present in New Zealand immediately before 29 July 1998, and any organism with approval to be held in containment. Primates held in New Zealand zoos are kept under this containment system. Under the HSNO Act:

• Statutory approval required: Bringing an unapproved new organism into the country requires formal risk evaluation and approval from the EPA.
• Containment facilities: The EPA says all containment facilities must be approved and audited by MPI, and outdoor containment facilities include zoo enclosures. MPI says anyone who wants to import zoo animals but does not operate an approved containment facility must apply to MPI to become one, which involves a complex series of assessments of the facility and the operator's competencies.

Animal Welfare Act 1999: duties of every animal owner

Under section 10 of the Animal Welfare Act 1999, the owner of an animal, and every person in charge of an animal, must ensure that the animal's physical, health, and behavioural needs are met in accordance with good practice and scientific knowledge. Section 4 of the Act says these needs include:

1. Proper and sufficient food and water.
2. Adequate shelter.
3. The opportunity to display normal patterns of behaviour.

Legal companion alternatives in New Zealand

While monkeys cannot be kept as pets, pet lovers who appreciate intelligent, interactive, and socially engaging animals have many rewarding, legal options in New Zealand:

• Domestic Dogs: Canines have evolved alongside humans for thousands of years, offering companionship, trainability, and deep emotional bonds when managed responsibly under council bylaws.
• Domestic Cats: Independent, affectionate, and fully legal domestic pets that thrive indoors or in secure outdoor enclosures.
• Companion Parrots and Birds: Highly intelligent birds, such as cockatiels, budgerigars, and conures from established New Zealand aviaries, provide rich mental stimulation and social interaction.
• Learning More About Exotic Pet Rules: To understand how New Zealand regulates other foreign animals, explore our guides on exotic pets banned and restricted in New Zealand and why New Zealand has zero pet snakes in our snakes NZ legal status overview. You can also explore general pocket pet options in our small pets and exotics care guide.

Summary

Monkeys cannot be kept as pets in New Zealand. MPI has no pet import pathway for primates: only operators of approved containment facilities, such as zoos, can import zoo animals, and only species approved by the EPA. MPI says imported zoo animals spend the rest of their lives in containment and are never released. New Zealanders looking for an engaging pet should focus on legal, domestic companion species.

Sources

• Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) — Bringing pets to NZ (other than cats and dogs): https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/pets-travelling-to-nz/bringing-pets-to-nz-other-than-cats-and-dogs
• New Zealand Legislation — Animal Welfare Act 1999 Section 10: https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1999/0142/latest/DLM50298.html
• Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) — Steps to importing zoo animals: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/import/importing-live-animals/zoo-animals/steps-to-importing-zoo-animals
• Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) — About new organisms: https://www.epa.govt.nz/industry-areas/new-organisms/about-new-organisms/
• Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) — Containment: https://www.epa.govt.nz/industry-areas/new-organisms/applying-for-approval/containment/
• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — About B Virus: https://www.cdc.gov/herpes-b-virus/about/index.html