Mark Vette: Dog Zen founder and animal behaviourist on Kiwis spending $1.8 billion a year on their pets

2025-11-24

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 o...

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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