Small Pets and Exotics NZ: What You Can Legally Keep (2026)

Small pets and exotics in NZ can be wonderful companions, but two things trip people up: some of the animals you see in overseas videos cannot legally be kept here at all (hamsters and gerbils are the big ones), and the ones that can are not "easy starter pets". Rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, fancy rats, budgies, cockatiels and lovebirds all need species-specific housing, diet, enrichment, companionship and daily care. Use this page as a hub: choose the animal first, then jump into the detailed guide for setup, feeding, cleaning and bonding.

Start with the NZ reality

New Zealand is not a "anything goes" exotic-pet market. MPI biosecurity rules limit what animals can be brought into the country, and live bird imports are heavily restricted. That means the practical choice for most households is not "what unusual animal can I find online?", but "what companion animal is already legal, available, ethically sourced and realistic to care for here?"

Before buying or adopting, ask three questions:

• Can I provide the right space every day, not just a cage that fits in the corner?
• Does this species need a same-species companion?
• Can I find a vet or experienced rescue that understands this animal in my region?

That last point matters outside the main centres. A rabbit-savvy or bird-savvy clinic may be easy in Auckland or Christchurch, but harder in smaller towns.

Rabbits: social, clever and not a hutch-only pet

Rabbits need more than a backyard hutch and a bowl of pellets. They are active, social animals that need safe space to move, dig, chew and rest. Start with diet: what do rabbits eat in NZ explains the hay-first foundation. For home setup and cleaning, use how to litter train a rabbit in NZ, how to clean a rabbit hutch in NZ, and how to keep a rabbit cool in summer in NZ.

The biggest beginner mistake is treating rabbits as solitary children's pets. Most rabbits do best with a compatible rabbit companion, but the bond has to be built carefully. Read should I get one or two rabbits in NZ and how to introduce two rabbits in NZ before putting two rabbits together.

Guinea pigs: herd animals with daily food needs

Guinea pigs are busy, vocal and social. They are also prey animals, so trust takes patience. A good first setup starts with what do guinea pigs eat in NZ and how to set up a guinea pig cage in NZ. If you are trying to build confidence, how to bond with a guinea pig in NZ keeps the handling gentle and realistic.

Guinea pigs generally need guinea pig company, not rabbit company. SPCA New Zealand specifically warns against housing rabbits and guinea pigs together because their needs and body language differ. Use do guinea pigs need a companion in NZ before choosing a pair.

Hamsters and gerbils: not legal in New Zealand

This is the single most common surprise for new small-pet owners here. Hamsters and gerbils are not approved for import into New Zealand — MPI permits only rabbits and guinea pigs (from Australia) and chinchillas (from Great Britain) — and there is no established domestic population, so there is no lawful way to buy one. The concern is biosecurity: escaped populations of prolific burrowing rodents would threaten crops, stored food and native species. See Exotic Pets Banned in NZ for the full restricted list.

If a hamster was what you had in mind, the closest legal NZ equivalents are:

• Fancy rats — small, clever and far more interactive than a hamster, but they must be kept in pairs or groups.
• Chinchillas — evening-active like a hamster, long-lived, and need cool dry housing plus regular dust baths.
• Guinea pigs — daytime-active and gentle, but need company and a lot more floor space.

Budgies, cockatiels and lovebirds: flock minds in Kiwi homes

Small parrots are intelligent, social animals. A cage is only the bedroom, not the whole life. Budgies and cockatiels need flight space, safe toys, social time, and a home kept away from fumes, kitchens and sudden drafts. If you are starting with budgies, read how to set up a budgie cage in NZ, how to tame a budgie in NZ, and do budgies need a companion in NZ.

Cockatiels often suit people who want a larger, more interactive bird and can commit to daily attention. Start with what do cockatiels eat in NZ. If you are comparing first birds, cockatiel vs budgie: which is right for you in NZ is the best next step. For a different parrot personality, lovebird care in NZ covers the common traps behind the cute name.

Choosing the right small pet

Choose by care pattern, not by cuteness. Rabbits and guinea pigs usually mean more floor space and cleaning. Hamsters and gerbils are off the list entirely — they cannot legally be kept in NZ. Birds need daily social time, safe air and a lot of patience. Renters should check tenancy rules before bringing home cages or aviaries, and families should assume adults carry the responsibility even when the pet is "for the kids".

Shop related categories at PetMall

Looking for housing, hay, bedding or enrichment for small pets in New Zealand? Browse the PetMall small pet range for current options and nationwide delivery.

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References

• MPI, bringing pets to NZ other than cats and dogs, checked 2026-06-10: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/pets-travelling-to-nz/bringing-pets-to-nz-other-than-cats-and-dogs
• New Zealand Government, bringing pets into New Zealand, checked 2026-06-10: https://www.govt.nz/browse/immigration-and-visas/bringing-things-into-new-zealand/bringing-pets-into-new-zealand/
• SPCA New Zealand, are rabbits the right companion animal for you, checked 2026-06-10: https://www.spca.nz/advice-and-welfare/article/are-rabbits-the-right-companion-animal-for-you
• SPCA New Zealand, guinea pigs position statement, checked 2026-06-10: https://www.spca.nz/advocacy/position-statements/article/guinea-pigs
• RSPCA UK, rabbit care and guinea pig care, checked 2026-06-10: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rabbits and https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/guineapigs

Important notice

*General small-pet husbandry information for NZ owners. For health concerns, injuries, appetite changes, heat stress, breathing changes or unusual behaviour, contact a NZ vet with experience in that species.*