GENERAL RULES

Special note: Electricity will NOT be provided in the contest ring due to trip hazards,

however, will be available for electric tables only. Contestants will need to bring their own

extension cord etc. You must supply your own cordless clippers where applicable. Tables

must be safe , secure & steady. Set up is available from Friday 3pm-6pm or 8am-8.15am

the day of your class. Organisers will have the final say where the tables will go. Please

ensure you do not disturb others around you.

Competition Dog Qualifications:

The competition dog must be current on vaccinations, age appropriate for competition

(recommendation is between the ages of 1 and 10 years), appear healthy, free of disease,

open wounds, injuries and parasites, must not show obvious signs of pregnancy, nursing or

in heat. Must not show signs of aggression or viciousness, must be leashed (slip lead)

when not crated or not being groomed and must never be left unattended.

Coat Growth:

Six weeks or more coat growth is recommended; however, as some dogs grow coat more

quickly than others, adequate coat growth is defined as enough coat to make a distinct

change in the dog’s appearance.

Contest Dog Preparation:

Prior to competition start, the dog’s coat should be clean, dry and free of mats, and the

nails should be clipped and/or filed and ears cleaned. Sanitary area and foot pads may be

trimmed.

For all classes:

Ring opens at least 15 minutes prior to prejudge, contestants must be present for

prejudging or they may not be permitted to compete.

Prohibited during competition:

Cell phones, radios and headsets, hair dryers, flame devices or vaping/smoking, beverages

not in spill proof containers, visual or written instructions, very large tack boxes, kennel

crates, standing on tables or chairs, coaching by anyone at any time during the

competition.

Competitors should only use non-toxic materials on their dogs.

STRUCTURE

There are three levels in each class, except for It Takes Two, Model Dogs and K9 Runway,

which will be open and have no levels.

• Entry Level

• Intermediate Level

• Open Level

Groomers compete separately for placements of first, second and third in their level

classes. Class winners will then compete against each other for best in group. Best in

Group will then go to Best in Show. There will be no Best in Group for It Takes Two or K9

Runway. There will also be a Best First Timers award.

Competition Levels:

Entry - recommended for groomers with novice styling skills with less than 3 years

grooming experience, never won more than 1 first place, who have not won a Best in Show

or Best in group title from any level at any competition. Also relevant for groomers who have

never competed before (first timers) with less than 3 years’ grooming experience.

Intermediate - recommended for groomers with Intermediate styling skills with over 3

years grooming experience. Never won Best in Show or Best in Group at any level and at any

competition. Also relevant for groomers who have never competed before (first timers) with

over 3 years’ grooming experience.

Masters - Recommended for advanced groomers, Master Groomers, Educators, Show Handlers, or Breed Specialists. NOT relevant first timers.

Professional Conduct:

Competitors are expected to demonstrate professionalism and sportsmanship at all times.

Any form of misconduct or unsportsmanlike behavior may result in disqualification.

Judges’ Decision:

The decision of the judges is final and binding. Any disputes or concerns must be raised

respectfully with the event organisers.

Terms and Conditions

1. Liability Disclaimer

GroomFest NZ and its organisers accept no responsibility or liability for any injury, illness,

loss, damage, accident, or incident that may occur to any guest, competitor, judge,

speaker, vendor, or dog during the event. This includes, but is not limited to, issues arising

from interaction with other attendees, equipment malfunctions, animal behaviour,

environmental hazards, or electrical faults resulting in electrocution. The organisers also

accept no liability for disruptions, damages, or losses caused by natural disasters such as

earthquakes, storms, floods, or other acts of nature. Attendance and participation are

strictly at the individual’s own risk.

2. Refund Policy

Refunds for competitor entry fees will be available until two weeks prior to the event and

will be processed minus any applicable administrative or transaction fees.

Refunds for general admission tickets, workshop passes, and other purchases will only be

available up until 20 August 2026. No refunds will be issued for any reason after this date.

Please ensure you are confident in your booking before this deadline, as all sales become

final thereafter.

3. Event Cancellation and Force Majeure

GroomFest NZ reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or reschedule the event due to

circumstances beyond its control. These include, but are not limited to, severe weather,

pandemics, natural disasters, government restrictions, venue complications, or other

unforeseen disruptions. In such cases, the organisers accept no liability for any resulting

costs or losses, including travel or accommodation expenses.

4. Postponement Policy

In the event of cancellation, the expo will be postponed to a future date selected by

GroomFest NZ and guest speakers. All tickets and competition entries will be valid for the

rescheduled date. Further details will be communicated to all registered participants.

5. Technical Issues

GroomFest NZ is not responsible for any website outages, registration issues, or

communication failures. For the latest updates, attendees are advised to follow the event’s

official social media pages.

6. Payment Terms

All payments are to be made in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). A non-refundable processing

or service fee applies to all transactions and may vary depending on the payment method

used.

7. Dog Welfare and Venue Rules

Only competitor dogs and certified care/service dogs are permitted at the event. All dogs

must be under the full supervision of their handler. Competitor dogs must be crated when

not being groomed or shown and must be leashed at all other times. Care/service dogs

must remain on leash and under control. Dogs must be regularly toileted, watered, and

never left unattended.

8. Clean-Up Responsibilities

Handlers are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs. All faeces must be promptly

removed and disposed of appropriately. Any urine on non-grass surfaces (such as

doorways, footpaths, or paved areas) must be thoroughly cleaned by the handler.

9. Competitor Conduct

Competitors must conduct themselves in a respectful, professional manner at all times.

Any form of rudeness, unsportsmanlike behaviour, backchatting judges, or disrespect

toward other competitors, organisers, or guests will result in immediate disqualification

and removal from the event. No refunds will be issued in such cases.

10. Judging Decisions

All decisions made by the judging panel are final and binding. No disputes, appeals, or

challenges will be considered.

11. Prizes and Payouts

Prizes will be awarded as advertised and cannot be exchanged for cash unless designated

as a cash prize. Cash prizes may be given in person or paid via direct credit in the days

following the event. No substitutions or adjustments will be permitted.

12. Animal Welfare and Handling

All dogs must be handled with care, kindness, and professionalism. As this is a public

event, any competitor observed rough-handling a dog or engaging in distressing or

inappropriate behaviour will be immediately disqualified and removed from the venue. This

will be enforced with zero tolerance and no refunds.

13. Communication of Changes

Should any major changes to the event occur, including schedule updates, venue

adjustments, or policy amendments, GroomFest NZ will make every reasonable effort to

communicate these via the official website, email notifications, and social media

channels. It is the responsibility of attendees and competitors to check these platforms for

updates. The organisers accept no responsibility for missed communications where these

channels have been used.

Contact the host of GroomFest NZ 2026