Roof Rat Laws › New Zealand
Summary. New Zealand’s national position on the roof rat (ship rat, Rattus rattus) is more permissive than its pest reputation suggests, though it varies by region and import is barred. The Ministry for Primary Industries confirmed in writing (June 2026) that Rattus rattus is NOT listed as an unwanted organism or a notifiable organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993, so there are no national restrictions on keeping or breeding the species under that Act, and the Animal Welfare Act 1999 requires no permit to keep, breed, or sell rats. At the national level, keeping a captive-bred roof rat is therefore legal. The catch is regional: some regional councils list Rattus rattus in their regional pest management plans, with rules that vary by region. MPI specifically noted that the Northland Regional Council plan has rules preventing the breeding or selling of Rattus rattus, and that the Auckland plan’s Hauraki Gulf island rules (for example Waiheke Island) may impose restrictions. Check your own regional pest management plan (searchable on MPI’s Established Pests Portal); these plans are updated roughly every ten years. Import is the firm barrier: MPI confirmed pet rats cannot be imported into New Zealand, so a roof rat must be sourced domestically. Rattus rattus remains an ecological pest and a Predator Free 2050 eradication target, so never release one, secure it against escape, and do not move it into a controlled area such as the Hauraki Gulf.
legal note
This is a research aid, not legal advice; rules change and are interpreted by local officials. Verify with the official source before acting.- Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Animal Welfare Team, written reply June 2026: there are NO registration or permit requirements under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 for people keeping, breeding, or selling rats (only the Act’s general welfare duties and codes of welfare apply; there is no pet-rat-specific code of welfare). MPI also confirmed that pet rats CANNOT be imported into New Zealand (per MPI’s ‘Bringing pets to NZ other than cats and dogs’ guidance). Note: this welfare-team reply addressed only the Animal Welfare Act layer; the Biosecurity Act 1993 status of the ship rat (Rattus rattus) is addressed in the confirmation below, where MPI confirmed it is NOT a national unwanted or notifiable organism.
- Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Customer Enquiries Centre, written reply 16 June 2026: Rattus rattus is NOT listed as an unwanted organism or a notifiable organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993, so there are no national restrictions on keeping or breeding the species under that Act. Some regional councils list Rattus rattus in their regional pest management plans with rules that vary by region; MPI specifically noted that the Northland Regional Council plan has rules preventing the breeding or selling of Rattus rattus, and that the Auckland plan’s Hauraki Gulf island rules (for example Waiheke Island) may impose restrictions. Regional plans are searchable on MPI’s New Zealand Established Pests Portal and are updated roughly every ten years.
Rules vary by region
New Zealand has no national restriction on keeping or breeding Rattus rattus (MPI, June 2026), but some regional councils restrict it through their regional pest management plans, and the rules differ by region. Search ‘Rattus rattus’ on MPI’s Established Pests Portal to find your region’s status.
- Northland: restricted. MPI confirmed (June 2026) that the Northland Regional Council pest management plan has rules preventing the breeding or selling of Rattus rattus. official info
- Auckland (Hauraki Gulf islands): restricted. Auckland’s pest rules for the Hauraki Gulf islands (for example Waiheke) may impose restrictions, and a rat may not be moved into the Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area. official info
Status by activity
Keeping / owning Legal
Confidence: High · Last verified 2026-06-16
MPI confirmed in writing (June 2026) that Rattus rattus is not an unwanted or notifiable organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993, so there is no national Biosecurity restriction on keeping it, and the Animal Welfare Act 1999 requires no permit to keep a rat. Keeping a captive-bred roof rat is therefore legal at the national level. Regional pest management plans can add local rules, so check your regional plan, but mere private keeping of a securely contained animal is generally allowed. The general Animal Welfare Act duties apply, and the animal must never be released or allowed to escape.
Sources: New Zealand Legislation (Parliamentary Counsel Office), Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), NZ Department of Conservation, New Zealand Legislation (Parliamentary Counsel Office), New Zealand Legislation (Parliamentary Counsel Office)
Breeding Restricted
Confidence: High · Last verified 2026-06-16
Legal nationally: MPI confirmed (June 2026) there are no national restrictions on breeding Rattus rattus under the Biosecurity Act, and the Animal Welfare Act requires no breeding permit. But it is restricted in some regions. MPI specifically flagged that the Northland Regional Council pest management plan has rules preventing the breeding (and selling) of Rattus rattus, and that Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf island rules may restrict it. So breeding is allowed nationally but can be prohibited in particular regions. Check your regional pest management plan (searchable on MPI’s Established Pests Portal) before breeding.
Sources: New Zealand Legislation (Parliamentary Counsel Office), Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), NZ Department of Conservation
Selling or giving away Restricted
Confidence: High · Last verified 2026-06-16
Legal nationally (no national Biosecurity or Animal Welfare restriction on selling rats, MPI June 2026), but restricted in some regions: the Northland Regional Council pest management plan prevents the selling of Rattus rattus, and other regional plans may too. Check your regional pest management plan before selling or rehoming. No national dealer licence applies.
Sources: New Zealand Legislation (Parliamentary Counsel Office), Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), NZ Department of Conservation
Transport & import Prohibited
Confidence: High · Last verified 2026-06-16
Importing a pet rat into New Zealand is prohibited: MPI confirmed (June 2026) that pet rats cannot be imported, and there is no pet-rodent import health standard, so a roof rat must be sourced domestically. Domestic movement of a lawfully held animal is otherwise fine, but do not move a rat into a regional controlled area such as Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area near pest-free islands, and meet the Animal Welfare (Transport within New Zealand) Code of Welfare. Never release a rat: it is a Predator Free 2050 eradication target.
Sources: Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), New Zealand Legislation (Parliamentary Counsel Office), Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Auckland Council
Restrictions & responsibilities
- Do not attempt to import a roof rat into New Zealand, there is no pet pathway
- Source any roof rat domestically
- Do not move a rat into a controlled area such as the Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area
- Never release a rat: it is a Predator Free 2050 eradication target
Where: Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Biosecurity New Zealand / Animal Imports
Source: Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Auckland Council
- Search ‘Rattus rattus’ on MPI’s Established Pests Portal to find your region’s status and plan
- Read your regional council’s pest management plan for any breeding/selling/keeping rules
- In Northland (and possibly Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf islands), do not breed or sell R. rattus
- Keep the animal securely contained; never release it
Where: Your regional council (via MPI Established Pests Portal)
Source: Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Auckland Council, New Zealand Legislation (Parliamentary Counsel Office)
Source: New Zealand Legislation (Parliamentary Counsel Office)
Official sources
- Biosecurity Act 1993 – Part 4, ss 52-53 (duties re unwanted organisms: no release/spread, sale, exhibition, propagation/breeding; CTO permission), New Zealand Legislation (Parliamentary Counsel Office)
- Handling unwanted organisms: getting permission – it is an offence to breed, sell, or release unwanted organisms; CTO permission for education/research/pest management; Official NZ Pest Register, Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
- Bringing pets to NZ (other than cats and dogs) – pet rats cannot be imported into New Zealand, Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
- Rats – Department of Conservation (animal pests & threats; ship rat Rattus rattus the most widespread mainland rat; Predator Free 2050 target), NZ Department of Conservation
- Wildlife Act 1953, Schedule 5 – ‘Wildlife not protected’ (rats and other introduced predators are unprotected throughout New Zealand), New Zealand Legislation (Parliamentary Counsel Office)
- Rat – Auckland Council (ship rat classifications: eradication on Kawau/Waiheke, sustained control region-wide; pet rats must be securely contained, never released; no rat may be moved to/within the Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area), Auckland Council
- Animal Welfare Act 1999 – owner/keeper duties; codes of welfare (no registration/permit to keep/breed/sell rats – MPI, June 2026), New Zealand Legislation (Parliamentary Counsel Office)
- New Zealand Established Pests Portal (MPI): search a species to see its Biosecurity Act status and which regional pest management plans include it (with links to the regional plan rules), Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
Search terms: Rattus rattus, black rat, roof rat, ship rat, kiore (Pacific rat, a distinct species).
Last reviewed 2026-06-16, which is when a person last read this page against its sources. Spotted an error, or know the law has changed? Email blonderoofrat@gmail.com.