Image: Matt Jones | ©
Dog and handler.
Conservation Dogs Programme procedures
National standards and procedures must be followed by dog-handler teams and relevant project managers who require a dog-handler team.

Dog-handler teams must be certified under the Conservation Dogs Programme (CDP) to undertake work:

  • on DOC projects, or
  • on public conservation land, or
  • in the presence of protected species. 

There are currently over 120 certified conservation dogs in New Zealand. There are specific requirements to being accepted into the CDP team. 

Programme application requirements

To be accepted in the Conservation Dogs Programme, handlers must have:

  • experience of working with the target protected or pest species
  • dog-handling and training experience
  • appropriate level of fitness and field experience
  • ongoing time commitment for the working life of the dog and manager support.

Programme Certification

Deciding to become a certified protected species or pest detection dog-handler team is a serious and long-term commitment. Dog handler teams are required to meet a high standard to pass certification assessments and to maintain their standard at that level. Training is carried out by the dog-handler, with mentoring and support provided by the Conservation Dogs Programme. 

DOC has some full-time dog-handler roles with the majority of handlers either DOC staff that have a dog to assist them for some of their work, or are contractors doing conservation work.

The major steps to becoming a fully certified dog-handler team are:

  1. Handler application.
  2. Handler selection interview and acceptance into the Programme.
  3. Interim certificate assessment for handler and dog (tested for obedience and control, issued for 12 months before they must be tested for full certification).
  4. Full certificate assessment for handler and dog (tested again for obedience and control along with hunting/detection ability, issued for 1 year then re-tested every 3 years).

Support is available to handlers throughout the process, including advice on dog selection and training, equipment, mentoring and annual handler workshops from the CDP.

Standard Operating Procedure

This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlines the process for:

  • obtaining certification for dog-handlers teams
  • accessing protected species and pest detection dog services

It also highlights handler obligations under dog welfare guidelines and other legal frameworks.

Transporting our conservation dogs   

DOC has agreed a process with Air New Zealand and Orbit to fly certified conservation dogs for free as checked-in baggage (pet) when flying to work with their handler on a conservation focused project. This applies to:

  • certified conservation dogs travelling with a verified Conservation Dogs Pawsport
  • DOC staff and Conservation Dogs Programme certified contractor dog handler teams
  • the return of empty transport boxes
  • transport within New Zealand on routes operated by Air New Zealand.

Note: The partnership for Conservation Dogs Programme does not cover travel for conservation dog handlers.

Air New Zealand cover the extra bag and dog handling fee as part of the partnership, including dogs and crate weighing over 32 kg. 

There are no fees for the excess baggage weight as long as:

  • crates display a verified Conservation Dogs Pawsport
  • dog/s are accompanied by a handler.

Request a copy

To to request a copy of the SOP, contact: 

Helen Neale, Manager, Conservation Dogs Programme
Email: hneale@doc.govt.nz