Every cat in a lap.
Keeping cats safe and happy at home protects Aotearoa's native wildlife and strengthens the bond between cats and their guardians.
Cats and native species.
It's complex - let's work together.
We don’t have to choose between cats and our native species – it’s possible to care for both. Achieving this requires a new, balanced approach to cat management that recognises the value of cats as sentient beings, beloved companions, and important members of many communities across New Zealand. At the same time, it’s essential to acknowledge the impact cats can have on native wildlife and ecosystems.
Effective and humane cat management involves considering the needs of cats and their guardians, while also ensuring protection for native species. There is no one-size-fits-all solution – different situations require different approaches. Collaboration between all stakeholders is key to creating solutions that reflect the diverse values people hold about both cats and the environment.
What's the difference?
Companion cats vs. stray cats vs. feral cats.
Unmanaged stray cats are not provided care by people. Managed stray cats are provided with some form of care (e.g., food, shelter, desexing, veterinary care) and may or may not be socialised. Stray cats may live as individuals or live in a group (i.e., a colony).
The term domestic cat is used in this document to refer collectively to all cats with some dependence (direct or indirect) on humans including cats in the stray and companion (owned) categories.
Companion cats
These are cats that are considered owned by a person. They are usually very sociable, and directly dependent on humans.
Stray cats
Can be social to unsocial, may or may not be managed. May be lost, abandoned, or stray-born companion cats with varying levels of dependence on humans.
Feral cat
These cats are unowned and unsocialised. They often have no relationship with or dependence on humans.
2025 NCMG Report
The NCMG Report outlines recommendations and supporting evidence to achieve humane management of cats in New Zealand to protect both cat welfare and our unique environment.
The National Cat Management Group’s recommendations for cat management are based on assessing the existing literature and available resources concerning feral and domestic cat management strategies and feedback from stakeholder consultation. This is the third iteration of the report to include current research and changes in cat-related policies.
