Mark Vette: Dog Zen founder and animal behaviourist on Kiwis spending $1.8 billion a year on their pets
Update: 2025-11-24
Description
Kiwis are now spending a reported $1.8 billion a year on their pets.
Insurance, food, grooming, and daycare make up the bulk of the spending, with luxuries and niche businesses playing a part as well.
Dog Zen founder and animal behaviourist Mark Vette told Mike Hosking over time the relationship between pets and their owners has become more like that of a surrogate parent-child relationship, which drives people to spend more.
But he says there’s definitely been a push for those who have the money to spend it on “wants” instead of “needs”.
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