Media releases

The world’s largest livestock vessel, the Ocean Drover, is scheduled to collect 7,945 cows from PrimePort in Timaru today. This is the first ship to arrive in New Zealand to export some of the 24,000 cows that have been in quarantine since the sinking of Gulf Livestock 1 in September....

Animal rights organisation SAFE and Taranaki Animal Rights Group will be handing over a petition to the Taranaki Regional Council (TRC) today, asking the council to direct its port to stop exporting live animals. The petition was signed by over 11,700 people. Read more

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today announced her Ministerial list, which saw Meka Whaitiri reinstated as Associate Minister of Agriculture with responsibility for Animal Welfare. She will be a Minister outside of cabinet. SAFE CEO Debra Ashton said she’s pleased that the Labour Government are putting a focus back on animal...

New analysis from The Guardian has found that live export ships are twice as likely to be lost at sea as cargo vessels. SAFE Campaigns Manager Bianka Atlas said the growing evidence supports what SAFE has been saying for years. “It is clear that the live export trade places the...

Gareth Hughes was previously the Green Party’s animal welfare spokesperson and was a leading voice for animals within Parliament. During his time in politics he championed the 2014 ban on shark finning and accepted numerous petitions from animal advocacy groups. Read more

The Ministry for Primary Industries has today released new requirements for the export of live animals by sea, following recommendations from a review into the animal welfare assurances MPI receives from exporters. The review was led by Mike Heron QC. Read more

The annual rodeo season opens this weekend with the Winchester Rodeo on Saturday, and the Methven Rodeo on Sunday. Like last year, animals will be at risk of injury or death. Two animals died last rodeo season, both at the ‘Mad Bull’ rodeo in Otago. SAFE spokesperson Will Appelbe said...

While New Zealand is gearing up to lift a temporary ban on live exports, 25 crew have tested positive for COVID-19 on the livestock carrier Al Messilah, which is docked at Fremantle Port in Western Australia. The ship, which was due to be loading animals for export, has been delayed...

Animal rights organisation SAFE has big expectations around colony cages for the next Labour government. SAFE CEO Debra Ashton said with a majority of the seats in Parliament, Labour can make quick progress on animal welfare. “Labour can really get things done now, like fulfilling some broken promises on animal...

Current polling suggests the Labour party will need the Greens to form a new Government and this could mean big gains for animals. SAFE CEO Debra Ashton said the two parties have already agreed on a phaseout of cruel colony cages in previous election campaigns. Read more

A Waihi dairy farming couple were fined over $7,500 yesterday for serious animal welfare charges. Between 2018 and 2019, three cows had to be euthanised to end their suffering, and 30 cows required urgent remedial treatment due to significant underfeeding. Read more A reminder of our responsibility: The Animal Welfare...

Wellington City Councillor Fleur Fitzsimons is campaigning to ban the use of fireworks within a two-kilometre radius around Wellington Zoo. SAFE campaigns manager Marianne Macdonald said it’s a good move and would like to see the ban go further. “Wildlife, companion animals and farmed animals can all suffer physical and...

SAFE – Animal Rights Charity Animal rights organisation SAFE is joining Extinction Rebellion at their demonstration at The Press Leaders Debate, to be held at the Christchurch Town Hall tonight. SAFE spokesperson Will Appelbe said more needs to be done if we are to avoid the worst effects of the...

SAFE has launched a brand new Dairy-Free Challenge to coincide with World Vegetarian Month this October. SAFE Eat Kind Programme Coordinator Kylie Dale said “Going dairy-free is a great move for your health, for our planet and for animals.” In Wednesday night’s leaders debate, host Patrick Gower asked the Labour...