Hens deserve kindness, compassion and the freedom to live a life worth living. Hens are intelligent, curious and socially complex animals with a strong need to carry out their natural behaviour. When free to roam outdoors, a hen will spend her days scratching at the ground, searching for food, dust bathing, stretching her wings and basking in the sun.
In New Zealand, close to 3 million hens are kept in small wire cages to produce eggs. These intensive farming conditions prevent hens from being able to carry out their most basic behaviours, which can cause serious welfare issues.
Your actions can make a huge difference for the millions of hens living life in cramped, unnatural conditions on intensive farms. Take action now to free hens from cages in New Zealand.
We are seeing incredible change for hens across New Zealand. Three quarters (76%) of Kiwis polled want to see hens freed from cages. Supermarkets, foodservice groups, café outlets and restaurant chains across the country are committed to phasing out the use of cage eggs.
Around the world, hens are being spared from a lifetime in cages by progressive politicians. Cages are banned or phased out in parts of Europe, including Switzerland, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic and the Walloon Region of Belgium. In the USA, seven states have already banned the sale and production of cage eggs.
New Zealand’s leaders know Kiwis care about hens. In 2014 and 2017, the Labour Party promised to ban colony cages. The Green Party of Aotearoa has also committed to free hens from cages.
New Zealand voters have elected the Labour Party to lead our country for another three years. Now is the time to stand together and demand positive change for hens from our politicians.
This is a crucial time for animals. While the next Government is being formed, we need to make sure animals stay on the agenda.
While Labour won a clear majority on election night, it’s still unclear if they will govern alone, or form an agreement with the Green Party. Labour is likely to meet with the Green Party to talk about how the two parties can best work together over the next three years.
This is an opportunity for the Greens to talk to Labour about key animal issues, starting with colony cages. The Green Party has a strong animal welfare policy and has said they want to see colony cages banned. The Labour Party has also previously promised to phase out colony cages.
It’s time for the Greens and Labour to work together to free hens from cages.
Write to Hon James Shaw MP and Marama Davidson MP to congratulate them on their election result and ask them to prioritise animals in any negotiations with the Labour Party.
We have prepared a message that you can send to the Green Party. If you have time, please write your own personal message or edit the message below. A personal email from you will always have more impact!
This email will be sent directly to Hon James Shaw MP and Marama Davidson MP. You will also receive a copy for your record. Emails are public information, if you would like any of your information withheld please write so in your email.
Colony cages have been approved as the new caged system to replace soon-to-be illegal battery cages. In essence, colony cages are just larger versions of battery cages that are capable of housing many more hens. Colony cages still breach New Zealand’s Animal Welfare Act 1999 as they do not allow hens to express their natural behaviour.
Your actions can make a huge difference for the millions of hens living life in cramped, unnatural conditions on intensive farms. Whether you have an evening to spare or just five minutes, sign up and speak out for hens in New Zealand.
Thinking of breaking up with dairy? Sign up for the Diary-Free Challenge! Anything dairy can do, plants can do better. It's a simple switch, but it makes a big difference. We bet you’ll find it tastier and easier than you ever imagined!
As a charity, SAFE is reliant on the support of caring people like you to carry out our valuable work. Every gift goes towards providing education, undertaking research and campaigning for the benefit of all animals. SAFE is a registered charity in New Zealand (CC 40428). Contributions of $5 or more are tax-deductible.
SAFE Animal Squad