Quick answer: Bringing food to New Zealand is allowed, but you must declare all food on the New Zealand Traveller Declaration, even small amounts. Pork products are not allowed. Other retorted meat products may be allowed up to 2 kg if they meet the conditions. Fish and prawns must be declared and inspected. Failing to declare can mean an instant NZD 400 fee.
New Zealand is getting more popular with Malaysian students, especially in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Like Australia, it takes biosecurity very seriously. Before bringing food to New Zealand, understand what the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) says. This guide sums up MPI’s official pages as of 31/10/2026.
MakanHubb is a food company, not an authority. Rules can change, so check the MPI item checker before you pack.
The basic rule: declare all food
The MPI page on how to declare items when arriving in NZ treats food as a risk item. This covers cooked, raw, fresh, preserved, packaged and dried food. In fact, MPI asks you to declare even the smallest amounts and ingredients for cooking.
After inspection, many items are returned. Some need treatment, which you pay for, and some are not allowed in. If you do not want an item inspected, drop it in the biosecurity bins at the airport before the counter.
Fines if you do not declare
Failing to declare a risk item, even by accident, can lead to an instant NZD 400 infringement fee. For smuggling, MPI mentions fines of up to NZD 100,000, up to five years in prison and deportation. So tick “Yes” for food, every time.
Rules for bringing food to New Zealand by type
The summary below comes from MPI’s pages on meat products and fish and seafood.
| Food type | Short status |
|---|---|
| Pork products | Not allowed |
| Beef, goat, sheep | Must be commercially made, unopened, with the country of manufacture clearly on the label, and subject to the list of foot and mouth disease (FMD) free regions |
| Other meat products, including canned or retorted chicken | Allowed if retort processed in a sealed container, commercially made, unopened and needing no refrigeration. Limit 2 kg |
| Fish, prawns and other aquatic products | Must be dead and the species identifiable. Combined non-salmonid total no more than 20 kg |
| Sauces and dressings | Must not contain meat. Extra conditions for sauces with egg |
What about home-made rendang and sambal?
Home-made rendang is not retort processed and has no commercial label. It does not meet the meat product conditions above. Sambal bilis in a jar also contains fish and has no label. Leave them in Malaysia.
MakanHubb food for students going to NZ
New Zealand’s rule for retorted meat products is looser than Australia’s or the UK’s. Even so, we still suggest meat-free items for bringing food to New Zealand, because they are simpler to clear:
- Laksa Johor and Spaghetti Laksa Thai. Fish and prawn based, in sealed retort pouches. Declare them as fish and seafood products. Check the ingredient list on the pack first.
- White Rice. Plain rice in a pouch with no meat. Declare it and check with the MPI tool.
What about chicken dishes? MakanHubb retorted chicken dishes appear to fall under “other meat products” with a 2 kg limit. However, clearance is not guaranteed. Beef dishes depend on the FMD list, so we do not suggest them. Every pack can be eaten straight away or warmed in hot water for a few minutes. Prices start from RM12.90 a pack.
If you are unsure, buy halal food there. Big cities like Auckland and Wellington have halal grocers and restaurants.
Tips before bringing food to New Zealand
- Bring only a little, enough for the first week.
- Keep all food in one bag so it is easy to show the officer.
- Retort packs are over 100 ml, so put them in checked baggage. Read our guide on food on a plane.
- Keep the original boxes and labels.
- Do not carry food for other people unless you know what is inside.
The full checklist is in our study abroad packing list. Compare the rules in bringing food to Australia and bringing food to the UK. For food that keeps well in a rented room, read long lasting food.
A short checklist before you fly
Use this list the night before you leave:
- Put all food in one small bag or one section of your luggage.
- Remove home-made food without a label.
- Make sure every retort pack is still sealed and has an ingredient label.
- Weigh any retorted meat products. The MPI limit is 2 kg.
- Check any item you are unsure about with the checker on the MPI website.
- Fill in the New Zealand Traveller Declaration honestly and tick food.
Also remember that food you buy at a transit airport must be declared too. The same rules apply wherever you bought it.
FAQ about bringing food to New Zealand
Can I bring chicken dishes in retort pouches?
Other meat products that are retort processed, commercially made, unopened and need no refrigeration may be allowed up to 2 kg. You must declare them, and clearance is not guaranteed.
What is the fine if I forget to declare?
An instant NZD 400 fee, even if it was an accident. Smuggling can lead to higher fines, prison and deportation.
Can I bring pork products?
No. MPI says pork products such as pork salami, ham and pork sausage are not allowed.
Can I bring dried anchovies?
Fish products must be declared and inspected. The combined total of non-salmonid aquatic products cannot exceed 20 kg.
Where can I check other items?
Use the “Check if you can bring or send an item to NZ” tool on the MPI website, or email MPI. If you are still unsure, declare it.
Still have questions?
WhatsApp the MakanHubb team at 012-540 0263. We reply during office hours, Monday to Friday.
