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MPI Detector Dogs This page is to inform the public and promote MPI's Detector Dog Programme. If this happens, we may hide your repeated content.

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The content provided on this page is intended to provide accurate information about our work and events in the space that the Ministry for Primary Industries operates in. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information set out on its page is accurate. However, visitors to this page are advised that:
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Advice given through our social media channels is not a guarantee that your goods will be cleared. It’s a guide only and is based on the details you provide and New Zealand’s current import requirements which are subject to change. MPI denies any and all responsibility for any inaccuracy, error, or any other deficiency in this information, and also fully excludes any and all liability to the maximum extent permitted by law of any kind to any person or entity that chooses to rely upon the information. For more information on importation requirements please visit biosecurity.govt.nz

While patrolling arrivals at Auckland Airport, detector dog Pixie gave a very strong indication on a passenger’s bag.  T...
21/08/2026

While patrolling arrivals at Auckland Airport, detector dog Pixie gave a very strong indication on a passenger’s bag.

The passenger was asked what they had to declare and they said, “Teriyaki Chicken”. However, there turned out to be a pork and beef takeaway meal, and a 300g bag of beef sticks, which did not quite align with what was declared.

Let this be a cautionary tale to always know what you have packed in your bags, as this traveller was fined $400 for failing to properly declare the food they were carrying. Pixie, on the other hand, was issued with biscuits as a reward for her good work.

Happy birthday to the amazing Milo, who turns two today 🎉🎉 Milo the beagle was purchased from outside our own breeding p...
14/08/2026

Happy birthday to the amazing Milo, who turns two today 🎉🎉

Milo the beagle was purchased from outside our own breeding programme in early 2025. He is always a bolt of energy around the kennels, super excitable and incredibly adorable.

Milo aced his training and made his way into a pairing class with three regional dog handlers. He ended up with handler Sam from Wellington.

Happy Birthday Milo, we know Sam will give you a nice treat to celebrate!

Nalu the GSP/lab  cross is a relatively new addition to our detector dog team and we’re very happy to have her on board....
13/08/2026

Nalu the GSP/lab cross is a relatively new addition to our detector dog team and we’re very happy to have her on board.

She had a fantastic find recently after indicating on a passenger’s suitcase in the Auckland International Airport arrivals hall.

When questioned about what they had in the bag, the passenger said they had hats made from plant material. Sure enough, there were some very fresh green hats inside. The hats were destroyed so that no potential risk made its way through the border.

Great work, Nalu, keep it up!

Detector dog Hunter lived up to his name with this incredible haul from a single round at the baggage carousel. His hand...
06/08/2026

Detector dog Hunter lived up to his name with this incredible haul from a single round at the baggage carousel.

His handler on the day, Wendy, took Hunter out and in 15 minutes he had four separate interceptions. This grand haul included four boiled chicken eggs, two bananas, pork and chicken sausages, chicken feet, duck feet, necks, and tongue, quail eggs, a kiwifruit, and a whole head of raw garlic.

What a great note to go out on. At nine years old, Hunter retired recently. He’s been adopted by his original handler, Nicky, who worked with him from 2018 all the way through to 2025.

As a last hurrah before hanging up the jacket, Hunter was taken for a final run – with a special treat of chicken nuggets waiting at the end that he devoured in seconds.

Enjoy your retirement Hunter, you’ve earned it 💛

Detector dog handler Liv was recently paired up with her new four-legged partner, Sophie, and the two have got off to a ...
30/07/2026

Detector dog handler Liv was recently paired up with her new four-legged partner, Sophie, and the two have got off to a hot start.

A couple celebrating their anniversary in the islands were given fresh woven flax during their travels. Fresh plant material is a big biosecurity risk, which our dogs are trained to sniff out. So it was no surprise Sophie took exception to their checked-in suitcase.

Unfortunately, forgetfulness won’t get you out of an infringement and they were given a $400 fine.

Well done, team, keep up the good work!

Today is detector dog Tui’s second birthday 🎉🎉We acquired this beautiful black lab from the Mobility Assistance Dogs Tru...
28/07/2026

Today is detector dog Tui’s second birthday 🎉🎉

We acquired this beautiful black lab from the Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust early last year. She was a little too enthusiastic for their purposes, but luckily for us her personality fit right in with our kennel’s high energy vibes.

After training her up, she entered a pairing class with a group of dog handlers, and she ended up with her handler, Wendy. They now protect our Auckland border.

Happy birthday Tui, it’s great to have you on the team!

Christchurch quarantine officer Tiana was recently one of several who put their hands up for the opportunity to be upski...
23/07/2026

Christchurch quarantine officer Tiana was recently one of several who put their hands up for the opportunity to be upskilled. After a three-month training course she is now a certified detector dog handler.

During the training period, dog handlers-to-be work with multiple dogs before the decision is made as to who their four-legged partner will be. Tiana was paired with detector dog graduate Noah.

While nearing the end of their training, Tiana and Noah were getting some onsite experience at Auckland International Airport when they had their first find together – a banana and an apple inside a passenger’s carry-on.

Since then, the two have completed their training and returned to Christchurch, where they are protecting our borders. Keep it up, team!

This week’s detector dog find is a good reminder to always pay attention when packing before returning to New Zealand, o...
16/07/2026

This week’s detector dog find is a good reminder to always pay attention when packing before returning to New Zealand, or our detector dogs will remind you.

Rubix and her handler Hayley were patrolling the Auckland International Airport arrivals hall when Rubix caught a whiff of something fragrant. The passenger in question was adamant there was no risk items among their belongings, but Rubix appeared unconvinced.

The bag was searched and inside was a fresh flower lei. The passenger was given it at a work conference and had forgotten about it.

They were issued a $400 fine. Good job, Rubix and Hayley.

Detector dog handler Kara recently adopted her four-legged partner Bodie when he retired earlier this year. In the marke...
09/07/2026

Detector dog handler Kara recently adopted her four-legged partner Bodie when he retired earlier this year. In the market for her new partner, Kara has been paired with Ollie, a young, energetic springer spaniel.

The two are proving to be an excellent pair, with many finds resulting in warnings, seizures, and fines over their first couple months working together.

Among their many finds Ollie tracked down a beef wrap, beef burger, canned chicken, chicken and rice baby food, apples and strawberries, garlic, pork jerky, a hard-boiled egg, honey straws, and dried bamboo - all biosecurity risk items that could potentially cause damage if allowed to pass through our border.

In one case a passenger was on their way through arrivals with two carry-on bags, both of which Ollie indicated on. Turns out one contained pork sausages and an apple, so the passenger was asked if they were carrying any other food, plant material, or animal products, to which they said ‘no’. The second bag was checked and was found to contain a radish, a cucumber, and live plant cuttings. The passenger was fined $400.

Keep up the good work, Ollie and Kara!

Our O-litter was born on July 6, 2020, making today their sixth birthday. Out of the seven-strong litter, detector dog O...
05/07/2026

Our O-litter was born on July 6, 2020, making today their sixth birthday.

Out of the seven-strong litter, detector dog Oakley is the only one of his siblings still protecting our borders. A couple didn’t quite make the cut and, after being trained, Odin, Owen and Oreo were sent home with handlers from Tahiti to start their own detector dog programme.

Oakley doesn’t seem to miss his siblings too much as he has been sniffing hard at our Auckland border since he came of working age. He is continuing his important work with handler Marion.

Happy birthday, Oakley! 🎉🎉🎉

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