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Best Veterinarians in Napier and Hastings

We assessed 11 veterinarians in Napier and Hastings and ranked the top 5 on their public review record: rating quality, review volume and how recent the reviews are. The 10 listed below hold 1,727 Google reviews between them. No business can pay for a place in these rankings. Last updated 26 August 2026. How we rank →

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Before you hire

Vet costs add up quickly, and prices for the same procedure differ a lot between clinics, so ask for an estimate before agreeing to treatment. Check whether the clinic offers its own after-hours service or refers to an emergency centre, and ask how they handle pain relief and follow-up after surgery.

Top 5 Veterinarians in Napier and Hastings

The top 5 veterinarians in Napier and Hastings are #1 Carlyle Veterinary Clinic, #2 Clive Cottage Vet Clinic, #3 AnimalCare, #4 VetsOne, and #5 Taradale Veterinary Hospital, ranked by Top5 score. Scroll for our take on each, plus what to ask before you choose.

  • 1

    Carlyle Veterinary Clinic

    ↑ 1
    ★ 4.6 415 reviews +5 Top5 Score 171 +3
    5★ 325 4★ 50 3★ 15 2★ 3 1★ 22

    Carlyle Veterinary Clinic handles complex injury cases, post-surgery follow-up, and ear and leg conditions with a team that takes time to walk owners through treatment plans and next steps. Vets like Angeline and Rob are noted for being gentle with nervous animals while keeping consultations thorough, and the clinic offers in-house puppy school to get young dogs comfortable in the environment early.

    location_on 139 Carlyle Street, Napier South, Napier

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  • 2

    Clive Cottage Vet Clinic

    ↑ 1
    ★ 4.8 258 reviews +2 Top5 Score 168 +1
    5★ 238 4★ 8 3★ 3 2★ 1 1★ 8

    Clive Cottage Vet Clinic draws owners of rabbits, chickens, dogs, and cats, with specialist vet Alister noted by name for expertise in rabbit surgery that many clinics lack the skills to attempt. Emergency appointments are slotted in same-day, and multiple owners describe walking out with medication and a clear outcome at a price they found lower than comparable clinics in the area.

    location_on 11 Ferry Road, Clive

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  • 3

    AnimalCare (2002)

    ↓ 2
    ★ 4.9 216 reviews +2 Top5 Score 168
    5★ 195 4★ 17 3★ 2 2★ 1 1★ 1

    AnimalCare covers routine pet care through to high-stakes emergency surgery, including diagnosis, blood transfusions, and compassionate end-of-life support. Vet Nicky is named repeatedly across years of care, and the team has gone as far as sourcing a blood donor from a staff member's own dog to save a patient's life.

    location_on 45 Havelock Road, Havelock North

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  • 4

    VetsOne Ltd

    ★ 4.5 277 reviews -1 Top5 Score 163
    5★ 206 4★ 46 3★ 8 2★ 5 1★ 12

    VetsOne steps up when situations turn serious, with vets and nurses keeping owners informed through emergencies, end-of-life care, and ongoing treatment for complex conditions. Staff like Rayne and Donna are named directly by owners who credit them with making frightening situations feel manageable through clear communication and genuine warmth toward both animals and their families.

    location_on 500 Maraekakaho Road, St Leonards, Hastings

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  • 5

    Taradale Veterinary Hospital

    ★ 4.8 174 reviews +4 Top5 Score 163 +1
    5★ 158 4★ 9 3★ 2 2★ 1 1★ 4

    Taradale Veterinary Hospital keeps animals like Leonard, an 11-year-old pug with multiple congenital defects, alive and well through years of persistent, attentive care. Vets take time to explain treatment options clearly, and owners of long-term patients regularly see the same vet across consecutive appointments, which builds genuine familiarity with each animal's history.

    location_on 133 Gloucester Street, Taradale, Napier

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Before you choose a veterinarian in Napier and Hastings

Drawn from 155 customer reviews collected for this page. The first answer is what it costs.

What do vet visits typically cost in New Zealand? expand_more

A standard consultation in New Zealand runs $60 to $120, with Napier and Hastings sitting mid-range. Desexing costs $150 to $350 for cats and $200 to $600 or more for dogs, depending on size and sex. Vaccination packages land between $80 and $180, depending on which vaccines are included. Pet insurance is worth serious consideration, because surgical or emergency bills in the hundreds to thousands of dollars are not unusual, and there is no ACC equivalent for animals.

How do I check a vet clinic is properly accredited? expand_more

Every vet practising in New Zealand must be registered with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand, and you can verify any individual vet's registration status on the VCNZ public register at vcnz.org.nz. Registration covers the individual, not the clinic, so a separate check is worth doing: look for NZVA Best Practice accreditation, which assesses the clinic's facilities, infection control, and record-keeping standards. If care falls short, the VCNZ is the formal complaints pathway, and at least one reviewer in this area has already used both the Disputes Tribunal and the VCNZ to challenge billing practices. Raising concerns directly with the clinic first is reasonable, but knowing the formal escalation route gives you real leverage if that fails.

How do I avoid paying for tests or treatment my pet does not need? expand_more

Ask for a written estimate before any diagnostics or procedures begin, and ask specifically which tests will change the treatment decision rather than just confirming what the vet already suspects. One local reviewer was quoted nearly $7,000 for work completed elsewhere for $900, which shows how much a second opinion can be worth before committing to expensive surgery. A good vet will walk you through options at different price points without pressure, and if a clinic cannot explain why a particular test or medication is necessary, that is a prompt to ask again or seek another view.

What are the warning signs of a vet clinic you should avoid? expand_more
  • –No price is disclosed before products are opened or treatment begins, leaving you with a surprise bill at the end.
  • –Surgery or expensive diagnostics are recommended without a physical examination or basic tests being done first.
  • –The vet tells you what will be done rather than asking your agreement, particularly for medications or procedures you could reasonably decline.
  • –Follow-up care after surgery is difficult to access, or calls back after treatment are no longer happening despite being standard practice previously.
  • –Prescription copies are refused without a clear clinical reason, or questions about prescriptions are treated as unreasonable.
  • –Reception or nursing staff are dismissive or rude when you raise concerns or ask straightforward questions before an appointment.
What should you ask before choosing a vet? expand_more
  • –Ask what the consultation fee is and whether estimates are provided before any treatment, tests, or medications are agreed to.
  • –Ask how after-hours emergencies are handled: whether the clinic has its own arrangement, which clinic they refer to, and what that is likely to cost.
  • –Ask whether you can request to see the same vet at follow-up appointments, as continuity matters for animals with ongoing conditions.
  • –Ask whether the clinic has experience with your specific type of animal, particularly if you have rabbits, exotic pets, or large animals, as not all clinics are equally equipped.
  • –Ask how pain relief and post-procedure follow-up are managed, including whether the clinic contacts you after surgery to check on recovery.

Veterinarians ranked 6 to 10 in Napier and Hastings

They scored below the top 5 on the same public review record.

  • 6

    CareVets Napier

    ↑ 1
    ★ 4.4 130 reviews Top5 Score 152 +6
    5★ 96 4★ 18 3★ 4 2★ 2 1★ 10

    CareVets Napier brought a puppy with only a 20% survival rate through parvovirus treatment, guiding owners through every step of the process and aftercare with clear advice. They are also noted for prompt responses to injury emergencies, with staff taking care of distressed owners as well as their animals during difficult visits.

    location_on 120 Taradale Road, Onekawa, Napier

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  • 7

    Vet Services Hawkes Bay - Napier

    ↑ 1
    ★ 4.6 97 reviews +3 Top5 Score 152 +6
    5★ 86 4★ 3 2★ 1 1★ 7

    Vet Services Hawkes Bay gets dogs through major orthopaedic surgery, cruciate repairs, dental procedures, and end-of-life care, with vet Sharne named across multiple reviews for accuracy, speed, and keeping owners informed at every stage. Animals that have historically been nervous at the vet are noted to arrive calm and even excited, pointing to a clinic environment that reduces stress for both pet and owner.

    location_on 170 Taradale Road, Tamatea, Napier

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  • 8

    Petfirst Veterinary Havelock North

    ↓ 2
    ★ 4.8 58 reviews +2 Top5 Score 149 +2
    5★ 55 3★ 1 1★ 2

    Petfirst Veterinary gets anxious animals through consultations by reading behavioural cues during the appointment, with vets like Petra and Yolanda noted for specialist attentiveness to eyes and for catching signs owners would not have spotted themselves. Staff take follow-up calls seriously, including for non-enrolled patients passing through town, and dogs that once dreaded the vet are described as excited to walk back in.

    location_on 25 Napier Road, Havelock North

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  • 9

    Vet Services Hawkes Bay - Hastings

    ↑ 1
    ★ 4.1 80 reviews +7 Top5 Score 140 +38
    5★ 61 4★ 1 2★ 4 1★ 14

    Vet Services Hawkes Bay - Hastings covers dogs, cats, horses, lambs, and livestock, including vaccinations, dental work with tooth extractions, parvovirus treatment, and farm animal care through a mobile rural service. Sedation is tailored individually to each animal, and named vets like Neil and Henry are credited with explaining options clearly and adjusting treatment to the specific animal in front of them.

    location_on 801 Heretaunga Street West, St Leonards, Hastings

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  • 10

    Hawkes Bay After Hours and Urgent Care Veterinary Clinic

    ↓ 1
    ★ 4.3 22 reviews +2 Top5 Score 129 +24
    5★ 18 2★ 1 1★ 3

    When regular clinics are closed, Hawkes Bay After Hours and Urgent Care Veterinary Clinic steps in for traumatic injuries, urinary infections, seizures, end-of-life support, and twisted stomachs, covering a range of urgent situations through the night and on public holidays. Costs are communicated upfront before treatment begins, and staff are noted for guiding distressed owners through emotionally difficult moments with care.

    location_on 103 Grays Road, St Leonards, Hastings

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Related Napier and Hastings rankings

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About this ranking

How are the top veterinarians in Napier and Hastings chosen? expand_more

We build this page from Google Maps results for veterinarians in Napier and Hastings. Each one is scored on its public rating and review record. Businesses outside the area, or whose reviews describe a different line of work, are left out. See how we rank for the full method.

How often are rankings updated? expand_more

Every category and city is recrawled on a rolling cycle, about every two months. This page was last checked on 26 August 2026.

Can a business pay to appear in this list? expand_more

No. Top 5 and Also Recommended positions are merit-only and cannot be purchased. Verifying a business is free. A subscription adds a website link on the card, a public profile page, and competitor and ranking history in the owner's dashboard, none of which affects ranking position. See what a subscription includes.

Why isn't my business listed? expand_more

We build this page from Google Maps results for veterinarians in Napier and Hastings. The usual reasons for missing out are a Google Business category that does not match, too few reviews to score near the top, or an address outside the area we cover. At the last update, the smallest review count among the 10 businesses listed here was 22. Check where you rank or read how rankings work.