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Castles and cathedrals
What is a New Zealand breed rabbit?
A big, solid, upright-eared rabbit with a short, dense coat. The Vet Desk dates the breed to California around 1916, from crosses that included Belgian hares and Flemish giants. The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) recognised it the same year. The name is a puzzle: the breed has nothing to do with New Zealand.
New Zealands were bred mainly for meat and fur, which is why so many white ones exist, and why they are still common in farming. As pets they are a different story: well-handled New Zealands are relaxed, sociable rabbits.
What colours do New Zealand rabbits come in?
ARBA recognises five varieties, according to Creatures: white, red, black, blue and broken (white with patches of one of the other colours). White is by far the most common.
| Variety | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| White | Pure white coat with pink eyes; the most common by far |
| Red | A warm orange-red coat |
| Black | Solid black |
| Blue | Slate grey-blue; The Vet Desk calls it rare |
| Broken | White with patches of black, blue or red |
Creatures makes a useful point: a white coat on its own doesn't prove a rabbit is a New Zealand. Many large white rabbits are crosses. If you are adopting a pet, that matters very little. If you are buying a pedigree, ask for papers. If your white rabbit has dark ears, nose and feet, it is more likely a Californian rabbit.
How big is a New Zealand rabbit?
Large. The Vet Desk gives 9 to 12 lb (about 4 to 5.5 kg) for adults, and Creatures says the ARBA standard sets 12 lb (5.4 kg) as the upper limit for showing, adding that this is a show rule, not a feeding target. Does are often slightly heavier than bucks. The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF) lists the New Zealand White with the giant breeds, alongside the continental giant and the Flemish giant, when it talks about space and health.
What is a New Zealand rabbit like as a pet?
Usually friendly and steady. The Vet Desk describes the breed as outgoing, gentle, adaptable and social, says they rarely bite, and notes that bucks are often calmer and friendlier than does, which can be more aloof. Creatures adds a fair warning: a show pedigree doesn't guarantee a rabbit will enjoy being handled. Each one is an individual.
A heavy rabbit that struggles when lifted can twist and hurt its back. Sit on the floor and let a New Zealand come to you. The RWAF says giant-sized rabbits should only be handled when necessary, with the spine fully supported.
They need a rabbit friend, ideally a neutered rabbit of similar size. Our rabbit bonding guide explains how to introduce two rabbits calmly.
How much space does a New Zealand rabbit need?
More than most people expect. Creatures cites the RSPCA's minimum of 3 × 2 × 1 m (about 10 × 6.5 × 3 ft) of combined shelter and exercise space for two medium-sized rabbits, and says a large New Zealand pair may need more. The Vet Desk says most pet shop hutches are too small, and that wire floors can hurt their feet.
- Choose a home base. A shed, an aviary-style enclosure or a rabbit-proofed room, joined to a run they can use all the time. Our rabbit cage size guide sets out the minimums.
- Use solid, soft flooring. Heavy rabbits get sore hocks on hard or wire floors. Cover the floor with thick bedding, rugs or mats, and check the undersides of the back feet weekly.
- Add big furniture. A litter tray they can turn round in, a hide with two exits, and low platforms rather than tall shelves.
- Plan daily exercise. A secure garden, a run or a safe room every day lets them run, dig and stretch out fully.
Indoors or out both work if the space is right. Our guide to indoor or outdoor rabbits helps you decide.
What should New Zealand white rabbits eat?
The same diet as every pet rabbit, sized to a bigger body. There is no special "New Zealand diet". Here is a day for an adult, using the RWAF's guidance:
| Food | How much | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hay or grass | Unlimited, all day | The main food. Timothy or meadow hay for adults |
| Leafy greens | A large pile every day | Mix several types; see our safe food list |
| Pellets | About 15 g per kg of body weight | Roughly 60 to 80 g (2 to 3 oz) for a 4 to 5.5 kg rabbit |
| Fruit and root veg | A thumb-sized piece, a few times a week | Treats only, because of the sugar |
| Water | Always available | A heavy bowl is easier to drink from than a bottle |
Young rabbits still growing need more concentrated food, and the RWAF says no vitamin or mineral supplements unless a vet prescribes them. Our rabbit diet guide covers the details, and changes to food should always be made gradually.
What health problems do New Zealand rabbits have?
The Vet Desk lists the common ones for the breed, and the RWAF adds those that come with a big body.
- Gut slowdown (stasis) and bloat: a rabbit that stops eating or pooing needs a vet the same day
- Overgrown teeth, prevented mostly by a hay-heavy diet
- Sore hocks from heavy weight on hard floors
- Flystrike, more likely if a rabbit is too heavy to clean its back end
- Arthritis as they age
- Uterine cancer in unspayed does, one reason to neuter
- Myxomatosis and both strains of rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease (RHD), prevented by yearly vaccination
Creatures says to contact a rabbit-savvy vet promptly if appetite or droppings change, without waiting for a routine appointment. Our rabbit health guide shows what's normal and what isn't.
How long do New Zealand rabbits live?
The Vet Desk gives about 5 to 8 years, and says pet rabbits can reach 10 with good care. The RWAF says giant breeds generally live shorter lives than small ones, at around 4 to 6 years. A slim, active New Zealand that eats plenty of hay has the best chance of the upper end. See our rabbit lifespan guide for the life stages.
How much is a New Zealand red rabbit?
Prices vary widely. The Vet Desk puts New Zealand rabbits at about $35 to $100 from US breeders, while Creatures' figures from 114 past US auction sales show a median of $500, with the middle half between $350 and $850, as of November 2026. Auction rabbits are often show stock, so pets usually cost less. We found no reliable UK price. Whatever you pay, housing, neutering and vaccinations cost far more than the rabbit, so see our rabbit cost guide first and check rescues through our guide to where to get a rabbit. For everything else, start with our complete rabbit care guide.
New Zealand rabbits: common questions
Are New Zealand rabbits from New Zealand?
No. Despite the name, the breed was developed in the United States. The Vet Desk dates it to California around 1916, from crosses that included Belgian hares and Flemish giants, and the American Rabbit Breeders Association recognised it that same year. Nobody is quite sure where the name came from.
How big do New Zealand rabbits get?
Adults usually weigh about 4 to 5.5 kg (9 to 12 lb), and the American breed standard caps them at 5.4 kg (12 lb). Does are often a little heavier than bucks. That makes them a large breed, and the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund lists the New Zealand White alongside the giant breeds when it talks about space and care.
What do New Zealand white rabbits eat?
Exactly what any pet rabbit eats: unlimited good hay or grass, a big handful of leafy greens every day, a small measured portion of pellets and fresh water. The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund's rule of about 15 g of pellets per kg of body weight gives a 5 kg rabbit roughly 75 g (2.5 oz) a day. Fruit is an occasional treat.
How much does a New Zealand rabbit cost?
The Vet Desk puts the price at about $35 to $100 from US breeders, while Creatures' records of past US auction sales show a median of $500, with most between $350 and $850, as of November 2026. Show and pedigree rabbits cost more than pets. Rescues are cheaper still, and the rabbit usually comes neutered and vaccinated.
Are New Zealand rabbits good pets?
Usually, yes. The Vet Desk describes them as friendly, gentle, easygoing and rarely bitey, and says bucks are often calmer than does. Their size suits families who want a rabbit that is less nervous than tiny breeds, as long as they have the floor space and nobody tries to carry them around.
Do New Zealand white rabbits have health problems?
No more than most rabbits, but their size adds a few. Heavy rabbits are prone to sore hocks, so they need soft, solid flooring, and they can struggle to groom their rear end if overweight, which raises the flystrike risk. Gut slowdown, dental disease and uterine cancer in unspayed does are the other big ones to know.
