There are no native crocodiles in New Zealand, and there are no wild populations living in its rivers or coastal waters. New Zealand's isolated geography and temperate climate are not suitable for these reptiles. The only crocodiles you will find in the country are at Butterfly Creek in Auckland, which is home to "Scar" and "Goldie," two saved saltwater crocodiles that were relocated from Australia. While Australia is famous for its "salties" and "freshies," New Zealand is famously free of many dangerous animals; it has no snakes and only one rare native venomous spider (the katipō). For 2026 travelers, this means you can swim in New Zealand’s lakes and rivers without the fear of crocodile encounters that is common in Northern Australia or parts of Southeast Asia.