[Pete & Sheila]

We are looking to fligh into Auckland from UK on the same flight as our dog. By the time we reach Auckland we will need some dog friendly accommadation close to airport so as to recover from flight. Before setting off by car to our destination (New Plymouth).
Is there any body on the forum here who can advise us what to expect on collecting the dog at the airport and accomadation available.

Getting a connecting flight does not seem to be an option due to the size of the shipping crate.

[IanW99]

We are looking to fligh into Auckland from UK on the same flight as our dog. By the time we reach Auckland we will need some dog friendly accommadation close to airport so as to recover from flight. Before setting off by car to our destination (New Plymouth).
Is there any body on the forum here who can advise us what to expect on collecting the dog at the airport and accomadation available.

Getting a connecting flight does not seem to be an option due to the size of the shipping crate.

If the pet pickup is anything like Wellington? Then they will phone your contact number when your pet is ready to be collected. They will also give you directions if needed. When there, you pay any charges (document fee) and then they 'hand over' the pet in it's crate. Simple as that really.

For accomodation you could try these Pet Friendly Accomodation (http://www.lodging-world.com/petfriendlysearch.nz.auckland._.auckland.html), never tried them though?

Ian

[Björnsdotter]

We did pick up a dog from auckland.
We sat and waited at one terminal and paid one fee there,(30$?) then drove to another building to pay GST for the dog depending on it's value (been told that sometimes no GST and sometimes you have to, was a TV program recently about this)and show documents and sign declaration to what breed it is so it isn't a dangerous breed dog with import restrictions, when that was over we drove to airlines building and paid GST on the travel and finally back to first builidng to pick the dog up.
Waiting time at each place.
Was so hard to stand in line behind people arguing their GST on their imported stuff when you had your dog waiting and you wanted to have it done fast!
In all it took 2 hrs. Make sure dog is arriving during office hrs otherwise it can take even longer time.
Where to stay, get AA motel guides and look for motels where dogs are allowed.
Make sure to get a car where you can get the dog box to fit in to it since it can be usefull when at new place for dog to settle down at new location.
I assume you have no quaranteen on arrival and that you have checked up on that?

[Pete & Sheila]

Thankyou for your reply. I think it may be a bit trying standing in que's and being passed around with family in tow after a long journey. I think it may be a good idea to get the family settled in to a motel first then make a trip back to airport to collect dog.

[LesleyS]

Yes I agree, having done the pick up ourselves recently at AKL. The system for collection is a tad bit disorganised, and you are sent from one building to another to complete various forms and pay.

It's a lovely feeling though when you are led through to the cargo sheds where your beloved pet is waiting for that first glimpse of you and to hear your voice again. I cried heaps - with relief really that she was Ok and happy to see us!

[Björnsdotter]

1) The first building you go to is the arriving goods/cargo, pay 30$(?)
They give you dogs paper work, need the original that has travelled with the dog.
(You can't go to customs with copies to speed it up, wanted to do that but was told no)
People at arriving goods will give you a map of how to find the customs building, that map is totally out of sync! distance wise map is wrong! we got lost and missed the right turn off, DO LOOK UP THE ADDRESS OF CUSTOMS AND LOOK ON PROPER MAP!)
(At customs I had the bad luck to end up in lines with people that didn't talk english and it went soo slow).
2) At customs: Sign custom declaration and dog breed declaration and IF any gst on dogs value.(if pet already in family they won't charge you-seems like different rules from day to day of what I heard from others that brought dogs in)
3) Then they send you to the company the dog did fly in with.
(they want gst for tickets travel cost!)
(if air NZ ticket then it is just to the right of arriving goods terminal, CHECK UP WHERE YOU HAVE TO GO!)
4) and then back to arriving goods to pick up your dog,
it was so emotional that I don't even remember the travel home except for that I had dog in my lap :) :)

you need to be two when picking dog up,, one drives and one holds dog and cries :) :)

[Pete & Sheila]

While you are being given the run around. Is there somewhere you can leave your luggage

[Björnsdotter]

Nope,,unles you get to one more terminal,,the arrival,,have not seen any where were you can lock it up but guess you can park it someweher and pay expensive for it. Have enever seen any lockers at auckland airport but I can be wrong,,could be a security thing,, no one wants luggage stored at airport (?).
The parking at each place is outside the building so you can keep an eye out thru the window and see the car at each place!