Puppy Transport Across New Zealand and Overseas

At Le Epitome Kennels, many of our puppies go to loving homes outside the Waikato, including across New Zealand and, from time to time, overseas.

While local collection is always welcome, we understand that not every buyer can travel to us in person. For that reason, we are happy to recommend trusted pet transport providers and help coordinate handover once your puppy’s transport has been arranged.

Do We Provide Puppy Transport?

LEK does not provide transport directly.

Transport is arranged and paid for by the buyer with their chosen pet transport provider. This keeps the transport arrangement clear and direct between you and the transport company.

Once your puppy has been allocated, and once transport has been booked, we will coordinate with your chosen transport agent to arrange a suitable handover time.

Our Trusted Transport Partners

We are happy to recommend trusted pet transport partners who have experience moving puppies safely and professionally.

Our recommended providers include:

AirCare Pets
For air transport within New Zealand and, where available, international pet transport arrangements.

A4Dibble Pet Transport
For road transport within New Zealand.

You are welcome to contact either provider directly to discuss availability, pricing, timing, routes, and what will best suit your puppy and location.

How Puppy Transport Works

Once you have paid your deposit on a puppy and are ready to arrange transport, the usual process is:

1. You contact your chosen transport provider.

2. You confirm availability, timing, cost, and booking details directly with them.

3. You let us know the confirmed transport details by email.

4. We coordinate with the transport agent for handover of your puppy.

5. Your puppy is handed over to your nominated transport agent at the agreed time.

We will do our part to make the handover calm, organised, and as smooth as possible for your puppy.

Responsibility During Transport

In accordance with our Sale and Purchase Agreement, responsibility for your puppy transfers to you when your puppy is handed over to your nominated transport agent.

This means the transport provider is acting as your chosen agent for collection and transport.

For clarity, LEK does not operate the transport service, control the transport route, set the transport pricing, or take responsibility for the puppy after handover to your nominated transport provider.

When Should Transport Be Arranged?

Transport should only be arranged once:

Your puppy has been formally allocated to you.

The Sale and Purchase Agreement has been completed.

Payment requirements have been met.

The puppy is old enough and ready to leave.

We have confirmed the expected collection or handover timing.

Please do not book transport before your puppy has been formally allocated and we have confirmed timing with you.

Choosing the Right Transport Option

The best transport option will depend on your location, your puppy’s age, the time of year, available routes, flight schedules, road transport timing, and the transport provider’s own requirements.

Some puppies may be better suited to road transport, while others may travel more efficiently by air. The transport provider can advise you on their process, crate requirements, timing, costs, and what to expect.

We are happy to discuss practical considerations with you once your puppy has been allocated.

Puppies Travelling Within New Zealand

We have many happy LEK families throughout New Zealand, including homes in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, the South Island, and regional areas.

For New Zealand buyers outside the Waikato, either road transport or air transport may be suitable depending on your location and the transport provider’s availability.

Puppies Travelling Overseas

Le Epitome puppies have been travelling to homes throughout New Zealand and overseas since around 2010.

Over the years, our puppies have gone to homes in Christchurch, Queenstown, Wellington, Timaru, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Tahiti, Singapore, and many other places in between.

International transport can involve extra steps, including airline requirements, veterinary checks, export requirements, import rules, crate requirements, and timing restrictions. These requirements can vary depending on the destination country.

If you are outside New Zealand, you will need to work directly with a suitable pet transport provider to understand the process, cost, timeframe, and legal requirements for your location.

A Calm Handover for Your Puppy

Moving to a new home is a big day for any puppy. We do our best to make the handover calm and organised, whether you collect in person or your puppy is handed to your nominated transport provider.

Before your puppy leaves, we ensure they are prepared for the journey and that the handover details are clear.

Questions About Transport?

If you are considering a future LEK puppy and live outside NZ’s Golden Triangle, you are welcome to ask us about general transport options.

Once a puppy is allocated, we can help you understand the practical next steps and coordinate with your chosen transport agent for handover.

Transport is ultimately arranged between you and the transport provider, but we will do our part to help the process run smoothly.


My girl arrived safe and sound in the deep south, Invercargill.  I am so in love with my baby girl, she is a real character.
-Jackie Poole, Invercargill (NZ)