News

Despite strong opposition from community groups and environmental and animal welfare organisations, New Zealand King Salmon’s controversial bid for an open ocean salmon farm in the Cook Strait has won resource consent from Marlborough District Council. Read more

SAFE is calling on the Government to put an end to all caged-hen farming in New Zealand, warning that without such action, the country will be left behind on global animal welfare standards. In recent weeks, the media has been abuzz with discussion around the demise of the ‘cage age’...

Animal rights organisation SAFE is renewing calls for the Government to end greyhound racing after yet another horror weekend on the tracks. Sunday alone saw nine injuries and four broken bones in Auckland. In one race, a lure break-down caused multiple collisions, but this was not even the main factor...

The ‘end of the cage age’ has been a hot topic in New Zealand media over the past few days. Unfortunately, though the end of 2022 will bring with it a ban on battery cages, colony cages will remain legal. While they’re marketed as a ‘kinder’ option, what

Every summer, countless animals are subjected to fear, stress, risk of injury and death – all for the sake of ‘entertainment.’ Ahead of this weekend’s season opening, SAFE is calling for an end to rodeo in Aotearoa. Around 35 rodeos take place in New Zealand each year, many including activities...

SAFE is urging the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to reconsider plans for a proposed land-based salmon farm in light of growing animal welfare concerns with fish farming. The $16.7 million project, led by Mt Cook Alpine Salmon and backed by MPI, is reportedly set to be developed in the...

SAFE is urgently renewing calls for a Commissioner for Animals, following MPI’s lacklustre response to images of thin to emaciated cows, taken on two separate farms in recent weeks. SAFE received images via its 0800 EXPOSE programme, which showed thin cattle on a farm near Palmerston. The images were passed...

Why do we consider some animals as pests and others as pets? Why do some vegans choose not to date meat eaters? What’s the connection between animal oppression and certain types of human oppression? This week, Will Appelbe and Courtney White are joined by

Top greyhound trainer John McInerney has escaped charges on a technicality following the Racing Integrity Board’s (RIB) investigation into 11 greyhounds taken to a Christchurch rehoming facility earlier this year. The RIB found that one dog had an injury that should have been diagnosed earlier, and subsequently needed two partial...

With more severe weather expected, SAFE is urging farmers to take immediate measures to protect newborn lambs. Heavy snowfall overnight has left countless lambs at the mercy of the freezing conditions. SAFE Head of Investigations Will Appelbe said farming practices have to change. “Every year, lambs born in the late...

Another greyhound has tested positive for methamphetamine in the racing industry. The drug was detected in June 2022 in Palmerston North only after the trainer used a string of excuses to delay the urine swab by two hours. SAFE Campaigns Manager Anna de Roo said methamphetamine detections in the greyhound...

Another greyhound has tested positive for methamphetamine in the racing industry. The drug was detected in June 2022 in Palmerston North only after the trainer used a string of excuses to delay the urine swab by two hours. SAFE Campaigns Manager Anna de Roo said methamphetamine detections in the greyhound...

New Zealand King Salmon (NZKS) has reported a $24.5 million loss for its half-year earnings, of which it says a major contributor was a January mortality event. A 25% mortality rate for NZKS farms is considered standard for the company, and NZKS is forecasting a 38.8% mortality rate. Read more

The Animal Welfare Amendment Bill passed its third reading last night, which will give effect to a ban on live export. All exports of cattle, deer, goats, and sheep by sea will stop on 30 April 2023. SAFE Chief Executive Debra Ashton said it’s a relief that animals will soon...