News

Last year, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) embarked on a review of the live export industry, the outcome of which could be a ban on the trade. Despite this, MPI is currently advertising for a manager to look after live animal exports. The ministry says this is a team...

A group of lawyers has stepped up to ensure the rule of law prevails in two cases of animal cruelty that are both legal firsts in Aotearoa. New Zealand’s first rodeo prosecution The New Zealand Animal Law Association (NZALA) successfully took a private prosecution against Northland farmer Derek Robinson in...

The SPCA has joined calls for greyhound racing to be banned following the death of three dogs within three weeks. It comes as the Greyhound Protection League, alongside animal rights charity Save Animals From Exploitation (SAFE), has created a petition to ban the sport. Read more

A total of 199 greyhounds were euthanised in the last racing season, according to Greyhound Racing New Zealand. The organisation has released its 2020 Annual Report, which details the number of dogs euthanised either after being injured during races, or for undisclosed reasons. Read more

Nearly 200,000 chickens died at D B Chicks near Auckland’s Helensville on November 29, 2019. (File photo) An investigation into a mass chicken death incident remaining incomplete a year on is “inexcusable”, an animal welfare organisation says. About 190,000 chickens died at D B Chicks near Helensville, northwest of Auckland,...

Meet Vinnie.   Aside from the occasional zoomie, Vinnie spends his days hanging out with his human and doggie friends and snuggling anyone willing to lend him a lap. He’s really just a docile couch potato. Vinnie is a loved and valued member of his family. This cuddly and affectionate...

The annual rodeo season continues this weekend with the first of three ‘Mad Bull’ rodeos on Saturday. Like last year, animals will be at risk of injury or death. Two animals died last rodeo season, both at ‘Mad Bull’ events. SAFE spokesperson Will Appelbe said the treatment of animals at...

New figures from Greyhound Racing New Zealand’s 2020 annual report show the industry still has a problem with greyhound fatalities. The report states that 34 dogs were killed on racetracks, and 165 euthanised for undisclosed reasons during the 2019/20 season. Read more

The New Zealand vegan community has thrown its enthusiastic support behind The AM Show host Duncan Garner following his announcing he’s going plant-based for a year. In July, Garner promised he would turn vegan for a year if Labour polled high enough to govern alone. Read more

The extra requirements from an independent review follows the sinking of the Gulf Livestock 1 in September. Photo / Tony des Landes Just under two months since a livestock export ship left Napier Port and sank near Japan, another live export vessel is due to leave the port next week...

Livestock carriers are “at least twice as likely” to be lost at sea compared to standard cargo ships, according to an analysis by the UK’s Guardian newspaper. The paper looked at more than 10 years of data comparing the percentage of livestock carriers that had sunk with that of standard...

It’s business as usual for the primary sector with ministerial portfolios remaining relatively unchanged but from a few tweaks. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas Damien O’Connor has kept his job as Minister of Agriculture, one he held last term, and picks up Trade and Export Growth from David Parker and...

A New Zealand animal welfare group says the Government’s racing minister role in Cabinet contradicts the new animal welfare position. Yesterday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced her new Cabinet – appointing Grant Robertson, who is also Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, to racing. Read more A reminder of our...

Live cattle exports were carried out from Port Taranaki on board the Gelbray Express earlier in 2020. Nearly 12,000 people have signed a petition calling for an end to live cattle exports from Port Taranaki. Animal rights organisation SAFE, and Taranaki Animal Rights Group (TARG) presented an online petition with...