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On this page:
- Leg-hold trap restrictions
- Longspring traps
- Double-coil traps
- Glueboard trap regulations
Leg-hold trap restrictions
Leg-hold traps (sometimes called gin traps) have metal jaws designed to catch and hold an animal by a limb or part of a limb (for example, the foot).
The main animal welfare concerns are:
- injury and distress to the trapped animal
- prolonged suffering if the animal is held in the trap too long
- the potential for suffering if an injured animal escapes.
The Animal Welfare Act 1999 allows restrictions to be placed on traps and devices.
The Act requires that all leg-hold traps must be inspected within 12 hours of sunrise each day that the trap remains set, starting the day after the trap was set. Remote monitoring is allowed.
Find out about remote monitoring of live capture traps for vertebrates [PDF, 96 KB]
Trapped animals must be removed and cared for or humanely killed. Failure to do so is an offence under the Act.
Animal Welfare (Leg-hold Traps) Order 2007
The Animal Welfare (Leg-hold Traps) Order 2007 places restrictions on the sale and use of leg-hold traps. Under the Order:
- leg-hold traps must not be used within 150 metres of a dwelling without the express permission of the occupier
- leg-hold traps must not be used in any area where there is a probable risk of catching a pet
- the sale and use of leg-hold traps are restricted by trap size and type.
Sale and use of all leg-hold traps of size 1½ or larger is prohibited, with the exception of commercially made size 1½ padded-jaw, double-coil spring traps. Leg-hold traps typically have a size number stamped into their plate.
Longspring traps
- Only size 1 longspring traps may be sold or used. Longspring traps larger than size 1 are prohibited.
Double-coil traps
- Only size 1 and size 1½ double-coil traps may be sold or used. Double-coil traps larger than size 1½ are prohibited.
- Size 1½ double-coil traps must be padded. They must be manufactured with padding on the jaws – they cannot be modified to make them padded.
Traps that are not stamped with a size can be measured between the outer edges across the fully open jaws at right angles to the jaw hinges. Size 1½ traps measure between 10.5 cm and 13.5 cm.
How to measure leg-hold traps – fact sheet [PDF, 310 KB]
Approval for sale and use
If it is in the public interest and there is no viable alternative, the Minister responsible for animal welfare can approve the sale or use of a trap or device that's normally restricted. You must complete the relevant form to apply for an exemption for a leg-hold trap.
Application form for exemption to use a prohibited leg-hold trap [PDF, 309 KB]
Application form for exemption to sell a prohibited leg-hold trap [PDF, 242 KB]
Glueboard trap regulations
Selling or using glueboard traps to catch rodents is prohibited in New Zealand under the Animal Welfare (Glueboard Traps) Order 2009. The sale and use of glueboard traps to catch insects is not prohibited.
Glueboard traps consist of a base material with a sticky glue layer to catch and hold rodents. The main animal welfare concerns are injury and distress to the trapped animal and the potential for inhumane disposal.
Approval for sale and use
If it is in the public interest and there is no viable alternative, the Minister responsible for animal welfare can approve the sale or use of a trap or device that's normally restricted. You must complete the relevant form to apply for an exemption for a glueboard trap.
Application form for exemption to use a prohibited glueboard trap [PDF, 438 KB]
Application form for exemption to sell a prohibited glueboard trap [PDF, 305 KB]
Find out more about alternative methods for rodent monitoring and control
Review of rodent monitoring and control methods as alternatives to glueboard traps [PDF, 684 KB]
