Media releases

Millions of hens will continue to suffer when battery cages are banned Source: SAFE For Animals — From 1 January 2023, battery cages will be illegal in Aotearoa. However, colony cages, which also breach the Animal Welfare Act 1999, will remain legal. Colony cages severely restrict the ability for hens...

The Al Kuwait, one of the world’s largest live export ships, is expected in Timaru this weekend, only five weeks since it last exported over 10 thousand cows from the South Canterbury port. Timaru locals are planning to protest the ship’s arrival this Sunday at midday. Read more

SAFE is asking the Minister for the Environment David Parker to support the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolution on “Animal welfare – Environment – Sustainable Development Nexus”. In a letter to the Minister, SAFE outlined the need for the Government to get behind a proposed resolution submitted by the...

Greyhound Racing New Zealand’s (GRNZ) latest annual report shows that 232 dogs were killed during the 2020/21 season. This includes 18 puppies, bred specifically for racing, who never raced and reportedly died or were euthanised. The report also states 900 dogs in total were injured on racetracks. Read more

A series of power cuts resulted in the deaths of 180,000 chickens in November 2019 at a West Auckland broiler chicken farm owned by DB Chicks Limited. The New Zealand Herald has revealed an alarm system failed to alert the farm manager of power outages because an internet router lacked...

Advisory: Gareth Hughes becomes Chair of SAFE’s Board of Directors Source: SAFE For Animals — Former Green Party MP Gareth Hughes was voted in as Chair of SAFE’s Board of Directors following the charity’s AGM last week. “SAFE has been a strong voice for animals and our recent legal victory...

Overnight at the COP26 climate summit, the United States and European Union announced a global partnership to cut emissions of methane by 2030. New Zealand is one of more than 100 countries that have signed up to the Global Methane Pledge, which aims to limit methane emissions by 30% compared...

SAFE has published an open letter this morning in the Dominion Post, calling on Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor to announce a ban on colony cages. Over 250 New Zealand veterinary professionals have put their name to the letter, warning the Minister that colony cages do not meet the welfare needs...

In regards to the previous media release distributed by SAFE, we have been alerted to the fact that the greyhound races held yesterday in Whanganui were at Manawatu Raceway, not Hatrick Raceway. Please disregard today’s statement regarding Hatrick Raceway. Read more

The Waitai Coastal-Burwood Community Board has chosen not to progress with an application from the greyhound racing industry to build a new dog racing track at QEII Park in Christchurch. Community Board member Bebe Frayle said in an email that the board made the decision in part due to local...

In a judgement released this week by the Racing Integrity Board, Craig Roberts was fined $2,000 after his dog Willene Bale tested positive for Ketoprofen at Addington Raceway in July 2021. This is the third time one of Roberts’ dogs had tested positive for banned substances. Read more

An animal rights organisation is calling on the Christchurch City Council to reject Greyhound racing on its land. Greyhound Racing New Zealand has made a proposal to lease land at QEII Park to build a new racetrack. The two other proposals for the 4-hectare section of land include a multi-sport...

Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) has made a proposal to lease land at QEII Park to build a new racetrack. The two other proposals for the 4-hectare section of land include a multi-sport training and entertainment complex and a range for the Christchurch Archery Club. Read more

At a racing meet last Wednesday, six dogs were injured at the Whanganui greyhound racing track. Two of the dogs suffered broken legs, with a third suspected. Two of the dogs are undergoing x-rays to confirm. The last four races of the meeting were eventually abandoned due to poor weather....