Laura, Author at SAFE

Should aquariums be part of New Zealand’s future?

October 8th, 2021

Lockdown has been hard on us all. Not being able to do the things we love can have a detrimental effect on our mental health and wellbeing. Now imagine that your lockdown is forever. For animals trapped in aquariums, this is the sad reality. While they are on display in a tank that is a fraction of the size of...

What is that blob on the beach?

December 20th, 2021

One SAFE staffer recounts the beauty of summer days at the beach and the vast wonder it inspires in her and her tamariki. There is nothing like summer days at the beach in Te Waipounamu (the South Island). Our special spot is a secluded southern bay. Sometimes we’re lucky...

Why I stopped eating fish

December 13th, 2021

I’ve always had an affinity with animals. I must have been around eight years old when my primary school teacher showed the entire school a video of what happens to animals after they leave the farm. That brave teacher got into a lot of trouble for showing us that video,...

Exciting news for dogs!

May 14th, 2021

On 16 April, the Government announced a review of greyhound racing in Aotearoa. The announcement came after SAFE, the Greyhound Protection League NZ and Grey2K USA Worldwide brought to light the plight of greyhounds trapped in the racing industry in New Zealand. The review is a great step forward, but will...

Try plant-based for Veganuary!

January 25th, 2021

We Kiwis are pretty laid back. We’re way too busy having fun at the beach to start our New Year’s resolutions on 1 Jan! That’s why we’re a little late to the Veganuary party. But that’s okay, because here in Aotearoa, we’re extending our Veganuary celebrations right through February. And...

We’ve achieved victory for mother pigs, now we need Government action

December 17th, 2020

Today SAFE and the New Zealand Animal Law Association (NZALA) have published a full-page open letter in the New Zealand Herald, calling on the Prime Minister to appoint a Commissioner for Animals. In June 2020, SAFE and NZALA made legal history for mother pigs. For the first time in New...

Your plant-based summer barbeque – sorted!

December 2nd, 2020

Summer means barbeque season! If you’re new to plant-based eating, a barbeque invitation can be a little daunting ‒ but it doesn’t have to be. You just need the know-how. That’s where we can help. Barbeques and Christmas celebrations can be the perfect time to put on a plant-based extravaganza,...

We are closer than ever to a cage-free Aotearoa – but the mahi must continue

October 23rd, 2020

In the lead up to this year’s general election, SAFE supporters rallied together to make sure animals were on the agenda. Thanks to the amazing support for this campaign, we are closer than ever to freeing all hens from cages in Aotearoa. It’s been clear for a long time that...

Every glass of cow’s milk comes at the expense of the calf

October 22nd, 2020

In just over 200 years, New Zealand has gone from being a country with no cows to being the biggest exporter of dairy in the world. There are more cows in New Zealand than humans. Each one of these animals is a sensitive individual with their own unique experience of...

Photo credit: Geoff Reid

Intensive Winter Grazing harms much more than our clean, green Aotearoa

October 20th, 2020

In winter 2019, shocking images of cows up to their knees in mud, unable to lie down and rest, were in the media. Aerial footage revealed extensive environmental degradation in parts of Otago and Southland. A Southland kindergarten was even forced to close when runoff from a nearby farm washed...

Photo credit: Jinki Cambronero

Hens deserve a life worth living

October 8th, 2020

Like many people caring for animals, my mornings start with a feeding and cleaning routine. With over 30 hens, the vast majority of whom arrived featherless and skinny after serving an 18-month sentence in an intensive farm, the daily routine is well-planned and efficiently executed. The hens rush out...

1.8 Million Reasons You Should Give Up Dairy

October 6th, 2020

Bobby calves are one of the more unpalatable truths of the dairy industry. Autumn/winter calving is the busiest time of the year for ‘bobby calf disposal,’ as it is called in the industry. A bobby calf is a four to 10 day old newborn calf, who is not needed by...

Five reasons you should take the Dairy-Free Challenge

September 30th, 2020

If you’ve been thinking about ditching dairy and would like a little help to get started, we have just the thing for you. It’s fun, easy and FREE! The Dairy-Free Challenge is an exciting email series that covers everything from getting started to delicious recipes, dairy-free products and tips galore!...

Getting animals on the agenda this election

August 27th, 2020

Animal issues have fallen off the political radar in 2020, and there is no sign that any of the political parties are focused on making positive and significant improvements to animals’ lives. Colony cages will therefore only be banned after the election if animal activists step up to carry out...