New Zealand is currently CWD-free, let’s keep it that way.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a 100% fatal neurodegenerative disease of both farmed and wild deer and most species of deer are known to be susceptible.

It was first identified as a disease in the 1960’s and has spread throughout many wild deer populations in America and Canada. CWD has also been confirmed in South Korea, Norway, Finland and Sweden.

Contaminated body fluids, body parts, soil or plant materials and hunting or outdoor equipment are all potential ways the disease may be moved between countries.

If CWD were to arrive in New Zealand we would be extremely unlikely to get rid of it. Our best chance of keeping our deer safe from CWD is to stop it from entering the country.

Do not bring gear or products that may have been exposed to CWD to New Zealand.

On this page

CWD in a nutshell

The major routes for CWD transmission are exchange of saliva between live deer and ingestion of soil or vegetation contaminated by an infected deer/carcass.

Most deer tissues from CWD-infected deer, including urine and blood, have been shown to carry the infected protein.

CWD is 100% fatal, but infected deer take 18-24 months to exhibit signs of infection, so we often cannot tell if a deer has CWD by visually inspecting it.

CWD can survive standard disinfection and only 50% bleach solution is effective for destroying the agent of CWD.

What New Zealand hunters can do

Leave the gear there – If you hunt somewhere overseas that has CWD, leave your used gear there. Any gear being returned to New Zealand that has been used in a CWD infected area should be cleaned with a 50% bleach solution and be declared on your arrival card. This includes bow hunting gear.

Lures are illegal – Do not bring or import urine lures to New Zealand. They are illegal. If you find a urine lure in New Zealand, let MPI know through the biosecurity hotline 0800 80 99 66.

Think before you ship – If you’re importing any animal parts such as hides or heads from areas with CWD, get them treated there. Make sure you have the right paperwork to import them.

Spread the word – Share this information with hunters travelling to or from CWD infected areas. They may not be aware of the risk. If you’ve got a mate coming from a CWD infected area, offer to share your gear or let them know where they can purchase their own.

What New Zealand hunting guides and game estates can do

Clients who are travelling from a CWD infected area should be advised on how they can protect New Zealand and your business. This includes:

  • Discouraging clients that have been in CWD infected areas from bringing their used hunting gear to New Zealand. It poses a risk to your business.
  • Instead, we recommend that you advise clients where they can hire, buy or borrow hunting gear in New Zealand.
  • If clients are bringing used gear, advise them to clean it – only 50% bleach solution is effective for destroying the agent of CWD. This includes bow hunting equipment. They must also declare it along with their hunting intentions on their passenger arrival card.
  • Urine-based lures are illegal in New Zealand. Never let your clients bring them into New Zealand. Let MPI know through the biosecurity hotline 0800 80 99 66 if you see any.

What international hunters can do

If you are travelling from a CWD infected area and plan to hunt in New Zealand, or if you are a New Zealand hunter coming back from a CWD infected area:

  • New Zealand border biosecurity inspections are extremely thorough to keep New Zealand CWD free, along with other biosecurity risks.
  • If you do bring hunting gear, you must declare it and your hunting intentions on your passenger arrival card.
  • Only 50% bleach solution is effective for destroying the agent of CWD and this is not suitable for use on most hunting gear and equipment.
  • If you’re coming from an area where CWD is present use new gear, hire or borrow gear in New Zealand.
  • Ask your professional hunting guide or outfitter to help you arrange gear to use in New Zealand when you book with them.
  • Urine-based lures are illegal in New Zealand. Do not bring them in or import them.

Resources

The following resources have been developed by the GAC, with support from NZDA, NZ Professional Hunting Guides Association, Association of Game Estates NZ and Safari Club International NZ Chapter.

You can also download this flyer for recreational hunters (PDF File) from MPI.

Find out more

Page last updated June 2025