Spiders
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White-tailed spider.
(c) copyright Te Papa. New Zealand is home to about 2500 kinds of spiders, most of them harmless to people. Only some spiders are capable of biting humans.
There are two species of spiders in Northland that should be avoided - the katipo and the White-tailed spider. These spiders are not classed as a regional pest or have any legal status nationally.
More information
Biosecurity New Zealand
Biosecurity New Zealand provide an online pest and disease list that you can use to identify spiders.
Visit the Biosecurity New Zealand pest and disease list
Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health have produced a brochure on spiders, what to look out for and keeping yourself safe. It also provides information on what to do if you get bitten by a spider.
View or download the brochure from the Ministry of Health website
Contacts
For further information about spider bites and venom, contact:
National Poisons Centre
0800 POISON (0800 764 766)
Toxinz posions information website
www.toxinz.com
Northland District Health Board - public health service
09 430 4100
www.nhl.co.nz
For reporting spiders associated with recently imported goods, contact:
Biosecurity New Zealand
0800 80 99 66
www.biosecurity.govt.nz