Independent Cavy Clubs
Capital Cavy Club is a proud member of the Independent Cavy Clubs of New Zealand. These clubs continue to hold shows under the rules and breed standards of the New Zealand Cavy Judges Association, operating separately from the recently formed New Zealand Cavy Council.
Together, the Independent Clubs host the annual Nationwide Cavy Show each Labour Weekend - an event open to members of every cavy club across the country. It is the biggest celebration of guinea pigs in New Zealand, bringing pet owners, breeders, and enthusiasts together under one roof.
Our sibling clubs include the New Zealand Cavy Club, North Canterbury Guinea Pigs, Northern Rabbit and Guinea Pig Club, Taranaki Cavy Group, NZ Unique Cavies, and the Hamilton and Waikato Cavy Club. By working together, we ensure that cavies and their owners across Aotearoa have opportunities to learn, connect, and celebrate.
Follow the link below to visit their website and find out more.
Together, the Independent Clubs host the annual Nationwide Cavy Show each Labour Weekend - an event open to members of every cavy club across the country. It is the biggest celebration of guinea pigs in New Zealand, bringing pet owners, breeders, and enthusiasts together under one roof.
Our sibling clubs include the New Zealand Cavy Club, North Canterbury Guinea Pigs, Northern Rabbit and Guinea Pig Club, Taranaki Cavy Group, NZ Unique Cavies, and the Hamilton and Waikato Cavy Club. By working together, we ensure that cavies and their owners across Aotearoa have opportunities to learn, connect, and celebrate.
Follow the link below to visit their website and find out more.
Show Schedule
You can find the full show schedule by following the link below. The schedule includes every class offered by Capital Cavy Club, covering both our Pet Show and Pedigree Show events. It’s the best place to see what categories you and your cavies can enter, plan your day, and discover all the fun opportunities our shows provide.
Stud Names
Capital Cavy Club proudly follows the Independent Clubs Stud Register, which has been a cornerstone of the New Zealand cavy community for decades. The register was first created by the New Zealand Cavy Club in 1976 to ensure that stud names were recorded, recognised, and protected. For a number of years it was maintained in conjunction with the Combined Cavy Clubs of New Zealand (CCCNZ). When the CCCNZ ceased to exist in April 2015, the responsibility for maintaining the register returned solely to the New Zealand Cavy Club, where it continues today.
The register is currently managed on behalf of the Independent Clubs by Angela Goose, who carefully oversees and preserves its integrity. This system ensures that once a stud name has been accepted, it is permanently recorded and becomes the property of the applicant for life. Unlike many registries, there are no ongoing or annual fees required — making it a simple, fair, and accessible process for all breeders.
For anyone passionate about breeding pedigree guinea pigs, registering a stud name is an important step. It allows you to establish your own identity within the showing community, protects your chosen name from duplication, and formally recognises your role as part of New Zealand’s long-standing cavy breeding tradition.
If you are ready to take this step, follow the button below to register your stud name and join the many breeders across Aotearoa who have proudly established their studs under the Independent Clubs system.
The register is currently managed on behalf of the Independent Clubs by Angela Goose, who carefully oversees and preserves its integrity. This system ensures that once a stud name has been accepted, it is permanently recorded and becomes the property of the applicant for life. Unlike many registries, there are no ongoing or annual fees required — making it a simple, fair, and accessible process for all breeders.
For anyone passionate about breeding pedigree guinea pigs, registering a stud name is an important step. It allows you to establish your own identity within the showing community, protects your chosen name from duplication, and formally recognises your role as part of New Zealand’s long-standing cavy breeding tradition.
If you are ready to take this step, follow the button below to register your stud name and join the many breeders across Aotearoa who have proudly established their studs under the Independent Clubs system.
Nationwide Cavy Show
The Nationwide Cavy Show is the premier event for cavy fanciers in New Zealand — the national showcase for guinea pig enthusiasts, breeders, and pet owners alike. Held annually on the Saturday of Labour Weekend, it brings together clubs and exhibitors from across the country for a celebration of cavies at the highest level.
As with all Independent Club events, the Nationwide Cavy Show is run under the official rules of the New Zealand Cavy Judges Association (NZCJA) and judged according to NZCJA standards. This ensures fair, consistent, and professional judging for every class — from pedigree cavies bred to exacting standards, to pets that shine with personality and charm.
The Nationwide Show is more than a competition — it’s the chance to connect with the wider cavy community, share knowledge, and celebrate these wonderful animals on the biggest stage in New Zealand.
As with all Independent Club events, the Nationwide Cavy Show is run under the official rules of the New Zealand Cavy Judges Association (NZCJA) and judged according to NZCJA standards. This ensures fair, consistent, and professional judging for every class — from pedigree cavies bred to exacting standards, to pets that shine with personality and charm.
The Nationwide Show is more than a competition — it’s the chance to connect with the wider cavy community, share knowledge, and celebrate these wonderful animals on the biggest stage in New Zealand.
New Zealand Judges Association
As Capital Cavy Club is part of the Independent Cavy Clubs, all of our shows are held under the guidance of the New Zealand Cavy Judges Association (NZCJA).
The NZCJA was established in 1976, when purebred cavies were first imported into New Zealand by Jack Whitworth. Following these imports, Jack began training judges to the English standard, and the Association was formed to ensure consistent, professional judging across the country. Since then, NZCJA judges have officiated at shows nationwide, upholding breed standards and supporting the growth of the cavy fancy in New Zealand.
Today, the NZCJA continues to oversee judging at all Independent Club shows, maintaining high standards of welfare, fairness, and breed quality. The official show standards, which outline the requirements for every recognised breed and class, are available directly on their website.
The NZCJA was established in 1976, when purebred cavies were first imported into New Zealand by Jack Whitworth. Following these imports, Jack began training judges to the English standard, and the Association was formed to ensure consistent, professional judging across the country. Since then, NZCJA judges have officiated at shows nationwide, upholding breed standards and supporting the growth of the cavy fancy in New Zealand.
Today, the NZCJA continues to oversee judging at all Independent Club shows, maintaining high standards of welfare, fairness, and breed quality. The official show standards, which outline the requirements for every recognised breed and class, are available directly on their website.
