Cats deserve better

The Animal Justice Party (AJP) applauds the Maritime Union of New Zealand for taking a decisive stand against the resumption of live animal exports by sea. Their recent vote to oppose this trade reinforces the growing consensus that live exports are not only cruel but also harm New Zealand’s international reputation as a leader in ethical practices. Referencing the recent article from RNZ, Rob McNeil, Executive President of the AJP, expressed solidarity with the union’s position, stating “The voices opposing live exports are becoming louder and more united. The call for ethical and sustainable policies reflects the values New Zealanders hold dear. The Maritime Union’s stance highlights the significant risks associated with this trade—not only to animals but also to the integrity of our ports and our nation’s standing on the global stage.” As part of AJP’s current campaign to have ports stand against exporting live animals, the AJP has prepared a set of principles that can stand alone or be incorporated into policy for ports across New Zealand to adopt and implement. This policy is designed to ensure that no animals are subjected to the risks and suffering of sea transport. McNeil continues “In today’s world, most businesses already have policies addressing social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and even modern slavery. It’s obvious we need a similar commitment to animal welfare. Policies that reflect humane practices are not just ethical—they align with the expectations of citizens, shareholders, and trading partners. Councils and ports must recognise that cruelty to animals is never acceptable and ensure their actions reflect the values of the communities they serve.” Through its campaign, the AJP has been actively engaging with local councillors, port authorities, and communities to secure a future where New Zealand’s ports reflect the ethical and sustainable values that resonate with the nation and its global trading partners. Individuals can show their support for keeping the ban and ensuring our ports adopt the right animal welfare policies by signing the No Live Exports Pledge on the AJP’s website. https://animaljustice.org.nz/stop-live-exports/  Consider supporting AJP’s ongoing efforts to protect animals by joining or donating.

The heartbreaking death of Rambo, a microchipped, desexed, and cherished pet cat in Whangārei Heads, exposes critical failings in New Zealand’s predator control and ‘pest management’ practices. Rambo was shot dead after being caught in a trap and assessed as feral. The Animal Justice Party (AJP) extends its deepest sympathies to Rambo’s guardian and calls for urgent reform. “We must protect our wildlife with humane, evidence-based approaches,” said Danette Wereta, spokesperson for the AJP. “Rambo’s death is a stark reminder that outdated practices are failing our animals – it’s time for New Zealand to do better.” New Zealand’s reliance on kill traps and subjective assessments is both inhumane and scientifically flawed. Cats—whether pets or feral—often display similar distress behaviours when trapped, making accurate identification nearly impossible. Mistaken judgments, like in Rambo’s case, highlight the dangers of these outdated methods. Research shows that culling can lead to increased breeding rates and territorial influxes, intensifying predation pressures—a phenomenon known as the rebound effect. Sustainable alternatives like mandatory microchipping, widespread desexing programs, and trap-neuter-return (TNR) initiatives offer humane solutions for managing cat populations. “We must do better. Conservation efforts need transparency and compassion,” Wereta said. “I’m calling on everyone to join us in creating a future where wildlife and companion animals are treated with care and respect. Stand with the Animal Justice Party—join or donate today.”

The Animal Justice Party (AJP) is extremely concerned by the mass cull following New Zealand’s first confirmed outbreak of bird flu at an Otago egg farm. The devastating outbreak exposes the brutal reality hidden behind industrial farming practices and the sanitised language used to dismiss the scale of the wholesale slaughter. AJP is therefore demanding the media to reject the term ‘depopulation’ – a clinical euphemism deliberately designed to distance the public from the true horror and scale of mass killing of sentient beings. AJP is urging the Ministry for Primary Industries to critically examine their current policy of mass killing, mainly carbon dioxide gassing, which is a horrifically cruel process that can cause head shaking, gasping, and convulsions and transforms living, feeling beings into disposable statistics. “Let’s call this what it is – systematic, terrifying mass murder,” says Danette Wereta, Animal Justice Party spokesperson. “These 80,000 chickens are not just numbers or statistics. They’re living beings with the capacity to suffer. Their whole existence has been reduced to production units and now their final moments will be filled with terror.” “This outbreak isn’t just about bird flu – it’s about a broken system that treats living, feeling beings as disposable commodities,” Wereta added. While AJP understands the critical need to contain the virus, they argue that this outbreak could have been entirely prevented if we didn’t force birds into cramped, unnatural factory farming conditions. Industrial farming creates perfect conditions for disease transmission. Cramped, stressed birds packed together become breeding grounds for potentially devastating viruses. This isn’t just about one outbreak – it’s a systemic failure that puts both animal and human health at risk. The AJP calls for immediate action: comprehensive vaccination strategies, reduced farming densities, transparent reporting and legal recognition of animal welfare. These are not radical demands, but necessary steps towards a more ethical, sustainable future. The solution lies in a fundamental reimagining of our agricultural systems, moving beyond industrial farming towards more ethical and sustainable practices. “We can evolve beyond this,” Wereta insists. “The choice is ours. We can prevent these outbreaks, save lives and create a food system that respects life instead of destroying it. “This outbreak is a wake-up call. Will Aotearoa New Zealand choose compassion or continue this cycle of violence? The time for change is now. Consider supporting AJP’s ongoing efforts to protect animals by joining or donating.