ScentE Comms NZ

12/05/2026

SCENTWORK COMMITTEE
ELECTION UPDATE

Congratulations to Rachael Hunt and Matilda van Rijnberk who were elected to the DNZ Scentwork committee. We are excited to have them on board.

A huge thank you as well to the other candidates who put thier names forward. Even though they weren't successful this time, we really appreciate their enthusiasm and willingness to get involved. Our community is better for it.

From July the new DNZ scentwork committee is Rachel Rait (chair), Amerillis Farmer, Jill O'Brien, Karen Magorian, Rachael Hunt, Matilda van Rijnberk and Maree Peterson.

Judy Wilson and Joanna Upton are stepping down from the DNZ scentwork committee at the end of June. We thank them for their continued commitment, and contribution to the sport over their time on the committee. The sport has benefited from their involvement.

21/04/2026

Reminder that voting for the scentwork committee elections for the two South Island committee positions available closes 4pm Thursday 30th April 2026. If you have not received voting information or forms please email [email protected].

Please send your voting forms to [email protected]

08/04/2026

VOTING OPEN
Please check your emails (and spam) for your voting forms and bios. Email [email protected] if you need a form.

27/03/2026

****** Nominations for committee will be accepted up until the 31st March 2026 due to a discrepancy between the regulations and the dates advertised.

Please submit a 250 word resume to [email protected] by 4pm on 31st March.

Eligible scent work members must be either on the Dogs NZ Scent work judges panel or have participated in a Dogs NZ Scent Work Trial within the past 36 months. ******

24/03/2026

Just a reminder; If your dog graduates up a grade after a shows closing date you can not alter your entries.

See reg 8.4.2

12/03/2026

Just encase you missed the notice in the recent magazine please see the call for nominations.

In response the queries about who is remaining on the committee; the following members remain for another year Chairperson Rachel Rait, North Island representatives; Amerillis Farmer , Karen Magorian, South island representative Jill O'Brien.

03/03/2026

Dogs NZ is keen to streamline the award application process for scentwork awards. Please use the following form when applying for scentwork awards:

https://www.dogsnz.org.nz/pdfs/sw-awards-application.pdf

15/02/2026

The Dogs NZ Committee would like to let the wider scent community know that we fully support snug fitting leash covers/sleeves used on reactive dogs to alert people that a dog requires space.
On this topic, we would like to remind trialists that not every dog is comfortable around other people and dogs. Please give all dogs space at trials. If you have a dog that has special space requirements, please let the judge and your trial manager know so that we can help support you and your dog in the trial environment.
Tools such as muzzles, Give me space jackets, snug fitting leash cover sleeves, and a "trial buddy" to help get you in and out of searches if needed can help make the trial situation easier for you and your dog to manage.
We also remind all trialists that if you witness an incident relating to a dog and aggression at a trial please talk to the trial manager about making a report.

08/10/2025

The latest updated regs can be found on facebook on the Dogs NZ scrntwork group in the files section at thr link below:

****These are the corrected 1 August 2025 regulations (1 Jan 2025 + Change document). Unfortunately the document uploaded in late July had some errors. These have been rectified here. Thank you Scent Work commitee, EC and DNZ for your support.

Any questions please contact the DNZ Scent Work committee [email protected]
regs

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FLCC777a8/?

And will be uploaded onto the Dogs NZ website at this location here:

https://www.dogsnz.org.nz/scent-work/regulations

Dogs New Zealand, formerly the New Zealand Kennel Club, for all NZ pedigree dog breeding information and confirmation, obedience and agility dogs clubs and dog shows and canine health info

19/09/2025

Congratulations to latest judge promotions. The matrix posted yesterday unfortunately had left off done names. So here is the latest 19/9/25

Rosemary Cleator - Novie Exterior, Novice Interior and Novice Vehicle
Hayley Seccombe - Novice Vehicle and Novice Exterior
Maree Peterson – Novice Containers, Novice Interior and Novice Exterior
Christine Scott – Novice Exterior
Evelyn Williams - Advanced Containers
Barbara Nolan - Excellent containers

Please see the updated judges matrix. September 2025. The old matrix has been removed from this page to prevent confusion.

Edit to add: unfortunately this page does not allow files to be added, so all forms have to be added as screenshots.

If anybody would like a copy of the latest matrix pdf emailed directly to please email [email protected] for a copy.