Pet Breed Guide NZ
Syrian Hamster (Golden Hamster)
The Syrian Hamster is one of the world's most popular pet rodents, but it cannot be imported or kept as a pet in New Zealand: MPI's pet import rules make no provision for hamsters, and there is no lawful pet population here.
Photo Gallery
NZ Ownership Snapshot
Prohibited in NZ- Noise Level
- quiet
- Social Needs
- solitary
Syrian Hamsters cannot be imported or kept as pets in New Zealand. MPI's pet import rules make no provision for hamsters (other than cats and dogs, only rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas can be imported as pets), and there is no lawful pet hamster population here. Hamsters are not on the HSNO Act 1996's Schedule 2 list of prohibited organisms, but they are a "new organism" that cannot be imported or released without EPA approval. Legal NZ alternatives: guinea pigs, rats, mice.
Breed Snapshot
- Size
- small
- Lifespan
- 2-3 years
- Origin
- Syria and the Middle East
- Care Focus
- Nocturnal, solitary; curious when tame; may bite if startled or handled during the day
- NZ Price
- NOT AVAILABLE IN NZ — prohibited species
NZ Lifestyle Fit
Not available as a pet in NZ. MPI's pet import rules make no provision for hamsters (other than cats and dogs, only rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas can be imported as pets). Hamsters are not on Schedule 2 of the HSNO Act 1996 (prohibited new organisms), but as a new organism they cannot be imported or released without EPA approval (s25), and knowingly, recklessly or negligently possessing one imported in breach of the Act is an offence (s109). Sources: mpi.govt.nz (Bringing pets to NZ other than cats and dogs); legislation.govt.nz (HSNO Act 1996). Checked 29 September 2026.
The Syrian Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) is one of the world's most popular small pets. However, they cannot be imported or kept as pets in New Zealand. Other than cats and dogs, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) allows only rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas to be imported as pets, and there is no lawful pet hamster population here. Hamsters are not on the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996's Schedule 2 list of prohibited organisms, but they are a "new organism" under that Act, so importing or releasing one needs approval from the Environmental Protection Authority. The full legal position, and why no permit or quarantine route exists, is covered in why hamsters are banned here, and what you can keep instead. If you want a similar small pet in NZ, consider guinea pigs, fancy rats, or fancy mice, all of which are legal.
Related Breeds
Mini Rex Rabbit
The Mini Rex is a small American rabbit breed developed from the standard Rex in the late 1980s, weighing about 1.6 to 2 kilograms and living 7 to 10 years. Its defining feature is the coat: the guard hairs sit at the same length as the undercoat, giving a dense, plush, velvet-like fur quite unlike the coarser coats of most breeds. The body is compact and rounded, with short erect ears and a broad head, and the breed appears in colours such as castor, black, blue, broken and himalayan. Mini Rex rabbits are docile and friendly, generally content to be handled and petted, while still curious enough to enjoy toys and exploring. They are social, so a bonded pair suits them better than living alone, and they are bright enough to litter-train. Daily needs run to unlimited hay, fresh greens, spot-cleaning and three to four hours of supervised free-roaming, which fits a household wanting a quiet, affectionate indoor pet.
New Zealand White Rabbit
The New Zealand White is a calm, well-muscled medium rabbit with a dense, pure white coat; most are albino with red eyes, though blue-eyed whites also occur. Adults usually weigh 4 to 5.5 kg and live 5 to 8 years. The breed was developed through crosses in the United States, with ties to New Zealand as well, and was first kept for meat and fur before becoming a show and companion animal. Temperament is docile, and the breed is curious enough to explore readily and bond closely with its people, staying most active around dawn and dusk. Digging and chewing are natural behaviours here, so digging boxes and chew toys earn their place. Daily needs are a hay-led diet, three to four hours of supervised exercise in a secure, rabbit-proofed run, spot-cleaning, and nail trims every four to six weeks. It suits a patient household with floor space and room for a bonded pair.
Dumbo Rat
Dumbo rats are fancy rats with large, low-set ears — the same species and the same care needs. Pet rats are legal in NZ, but the dumbo ear type is not present in New Zealand's closed rat gene pool (importing rats is banned) — NZ pet rats are standard-eared. They need company of their own kind, daily handling and out-of-cage time, and an owner who watches for the two common rat problems: respiratory infection (Mycoplasma pulmonis) and tumours with age. Typical lifespan is 2-3 years.
Angora Rabbit
The Angora is a long-coated rabbit from Turkey, grown for a dense, soft wool that covers the whole body and, in lines such as the English Angora, the face and ears as well. Angoras are medium rabbits of roughly 2.5 to 5.5 kg and typically live seven to twelve years. Temperament is calm and gentle rather than boisterous: they tolerate handling well when it is regular and unhurried, can be litter-trained for indoor living, and are sociable enough that most settle better kept in pairs. The coat is the real commitment. Daily brushing and regular shearing prevent matting and wool block, and the rear end must be kept clean and dry, since a soiled coat invites flystrike in warm, humid weather. Mites and overgrown teeth are the other things to watch. An Angora suits an owner with time for grooming every single day, not someone wanting a low-maintenance rabbit.
Flemish Giant Rabbit
The Flemish Giant is one of the oldest and largest domestic rabbit breeds, traced to Belgium in the 16th century and widely known as the gentle giant. Adults carry a long, semi-arch body of roughly 6 to 10 kg, erect ears reaching up to 20 cm, and a dense, glossy coat in seven recognised colours: black, blue, fawn, sandy, light grey, steel grey and white. Typical lifespan is 5 to 8 years. Temperament is placid and easy-going, notably less prone to panic than smaller, more skittish breeds, and the breed is bright enough to be litter trained and to learn its name. Size drives the workload: spacious housing, several hours of secure exercise a day, unlimited hay, soft flooring to guard against sore hocks, and weekly checks of teeth, ears, nails and coat. It suits a home with genuine floor space and children old enough to handle a heavy rabbit gently.
Peruvian Guinea Pig
The Peruvian is the long-haired guinea pig, its silky coat growing continuously to 15 to 20 cm or more, sweeping forward over the head into a fringe or mop-top and backwards from the rump; underneath sits a compact, cobby body of roughly 700 g to 1.2 kg. Coats come in solids, bi-colours and tri-colours, and lifespan is generally 4 to 7 years. Temperament is sweet and gentle, often timid at first, and the breed is highly social, suiting same-sex pairs or small herds rather than life alone. The coat sets this breed apart from short-haired cavies: daily brushing, periodic trimming and scrupulous hygiene, because neglected long hair invites fungal skin infections, mites and lice. Alongside that come a hay-led diet with vegetables rich in vitamin C, daily supervised floor time, and indoor housing, which protects the coat and avoids overheating in humid weather. It suits an owner who genuinely enjoys grooming.