MPI Detector Dogs

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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Detector dog Reign and his handler Bella were working in arrivals at Auckland International Airport when Reign sniffed a...
28/05/2026

Detector dog Reign and his handler Bella were working in arrivals at Auckland International Airport when Reign sniffed a suspicious smell coming from a passenger’s handbag.

Inside were a boiled egg, chicken wrap, ham bun, and two corn cobs.

The passenger was issued a $400 fine for their undeclared goods. Excellent find Reign, keep up the great work. 🙌

Happy birthday to our amazing detector dog Ally 🎂🥳Ally turns eight years old today and was the result of ‘collaboration...
25/05/2026

Happy birthday to our amazing detector dog Ally 🎂🥳

Ally turns eight years old today and was the result of ‘collaboration’ between Rags, an MPI English springer spaniel, and Bailey, an Aviation Security labrador.

Ally’s spent most of her career based in Auckland, where she has worked with various handlers. Alongside general biosecurity work, Ally was specially trained to detect an unwanted organism – the brown marmorated stink bug. She is now based in Christchurch, with her new handler Tash.

Despite her age Ally is still young at heart, with a lot of energy for both work and play. Happy birthday Ally, we hope to see you continue protecting our borders for a few years to come.

Detector dog Oakley and his handler Marion were working at Auckland’s International Airport when Oakley made an enthusia...
21/05/2026

Detector dog Oakley and his handler Marion were working at Auckland’s International Airport when Oakley made an enthusiastic indication on a passenger’s bag.

The traveller told Marion there had previously been chicken sandwiches in the bag, but Oakley appeared too excited for it to just be a residual smell, so the bag was searched.

Inside were seven chicken sandwiches, which the passenger claimed they thought they’d already eaten. There was also a small pottle of mixed fruits. The passenger was given a fine for bringing in the at-risk items without declaring them.

Great work, Oakley and Marion 👏

Detector dog Rubix and handler Hayley had a fantastic day recently in the express lane at Auckland International Airport...
14/05/2026

Detector dog Rubix and handler Hayley had a fantastic day recently in the express lane at Auckland International Airport.

After Rubix indicated on a passenger’s checked-in suitcase, a search was carried – that resulted in the discovery of multiple packets of seeds for sowing.

While seeds emit a lower odour than most other risk items, our dogs have been extensively trained to recognise the scent, which shows how incredible of a detection tool our dogs’ noses are.

This traveller was issued with a $400 infringement notice. Rubix was given a cookie as reward for her excellent work.

Two-year-old Roo was recently sent from Auckland to Queenstown to start working with a new handler, Lisa. It can take a ...
07/05/2026

Two-year-old Roo was recently sent from Auckland to Queenstown to start working with a new handler, Lisa. It can take a little time before the team can learn each other’s mannerisms and get properly in sync, but Lisa and Roo have started strongly.

Within her first few days in her new surroundings Roo has sniffed out all sorts of things, notably some flowers picked in Singapore’s Botanical Gardens – with an extra hitchhiker being a live thrip. The passenger trying to bring these in was fined $400.

The new pairing looks to be a good fit, with Lisa and Roo developing a strong working relationship. Well done, team 👏

Detector dog Mable was working at Auckland International Airport when she caught a whiff of something interesting on a p...
30/04/2026

Detector dog Mable was working at Auckland International Airport when she caught a whiff of something interesting on a passenger coming through arrivals.

She gave them a good sniff-over, indicating on one of their pockets. Inside was a lovely fresh flower 🌺

The flower in question is apparently known as a “good omen flower”, so we’ll take this as a sign that Mable will continue having a brilliant career.

The passenger was issued with an infringement notice for failing to declare the fresh plant material, and Mable received good fortunes in the form of cookie – a reward for her great find.

With hundreds of passengers coming through the arrival halls of Auckland International Airport, our detector dogs’ noses...
16/04/2026

With hundreds of passengers coming through the arrival halls of Auckland International Airport, our detector dogs’ noses need to switch on raring to go. Detector dog Jura knows that it’s game time when the jacket goes on.

Recently, working with handler Chloe, Jura indicated on a small carry-on suitcase of a passenger who said they had already declared the food in the bag.

Trusting her partner’s nose, the bag was inspected. Along with all the declared food, there was also 92g of vacuum-sealed quail eggs – a risk item not allowed through our borders. The passenger claimed they were unaware of having to declare the eggs. They were fined $400 for their mistake.

Well done, Jura, for a great catch.

Three of our longest-serving detector dogs – Bodie (9 years old), Gizmo (9), and Iwi (8) – retired earlier this year. Bo...
14/04/2026

Three of our longest-serving detector dogs – Bodie (9 years old), Gizmo (9), and Iwi (8) – retired earlier this year.

Bodie was an absolute joy in the kennels, never fazed by the high-energy environment, and he remained one of the happiest dogs. He racked up a total 208 interceptions within 1.5 years, equating to 418.9 sniff hours, and his top finds included 45 bananas, 30 apples and 18 unknown animal products. He is now living his best life with three Labrador friends, enjoying swims in the pool, mornings on the farm, and lots of walks and relaxation.

Gizmo was a reliable stalwart of the programme who has had many handlers during his long career. Luckily for him he’ll retire with his final handler, Tim. He’ll be in good company at his new home with his brother Gus, who was adopted by Tim when he retired about a year and a half ago. The two will get to live out their retirements the way they came into this world - together.

Iwi is a pocket rocket of a dog, with just about as much energy now as she had when she began working all those years ago. She is one of the smallest full-sized beagles we’ve bred in the last decade. However, for what she lacked in size she made up for in enthusiasm. She predominantly worked in Auckland but was lucky enough to finish her career working in beautiful Queenstown.

We wish these three hard-working hounds the best for their twilight years. New Zealand thanks you for your long years of service protecting our borders 👏 💛

For this week’s find we’re heading down to Christchurch, where detector dog Captain and his handler Jono are based. The ...
09/04/2026

For this week’s find we’re heading down to Christchurch, where detector dog Captain and his handler Jono are based.

The team was working behind the X-ray at Christchurch Airport when Captain indicated on a passenger’s carry-on bag.

Captain must have thought all his birthdays had come at once, when the passenger revealed 2.8kg of cakes with pork floss on or inside them.

The passenger was issued an infringement notice and the items were destroyed. Excellent work, Captain.

Introducing our X-litter pups - Xia, Xito, Xylo and Xanthie. These little guys were our third litter born at the end of ...
02/04/2026

Introducing our X-litter pups - Xia, Xito, Xylo and Xanthie. These little guys were our third litter born at the end of 2025. They got their names before we sent them out into the big wide world, and have now been living with their foster families for about five weeks.

Fully vaccinated, they’ve been settling in well, and going out to explore the world during walks to hardware stores, malls, parks, and around their neighbourhoods.

They have been growing (some more than others, Xanthie is committed to remaining puppy-sized) and developing nicely. We look forward to seeing how they do during their first official assessments when they reach six months old.

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