Campaign Resources
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Live Export Ban
How to Use Email Templates to Correspond Effectively with your MP
Make it Yours: Add your own touch! Templates give you a head start, but personalise it with your thoughts as sometimes a templated email is ignored.
Ring Ring! Sometimes, Talk is Better: For big issues or a good chat, consider calling or setting up a meeting with your MP for a proper conversation.
Don’t Forget Basics: Include your full name and address when emailing. It helps MPs recognise you’re a constituent and increases the chance of a response.
- Ping! Ping! Follow Up: If you don’t hear back, send a friendly reminder. Sometimes emails get lost, so a gentle nudge can help your message get noticed.
Subject: Are you on the right side of history?
Kia ora [MP’s Name],
I am writing to you today to express my strong opposition to the potential reinstatement of live animal exports from New Zealand. This decision not only poses significant risks to animal welfare but also threatens to undermine our nation’s reputation and economic success.
As you are aware, the ban on live export plays a crucial role in upholding New Zealand’s image as a clean, green country with high animal welfare standards. Our commitment to ethical practices is worth billions to our economy and has influenced global trade agreements. Reversing this ban could have severe economic and diplomatic repercussions, jeopardising the progress we’ve made in international relations.
The minimal contribution of live exports to our economy, constituting only 0.6 percent of primary sector exports, pales in comparison to the potential damage to our reputation if the ban is overturned
Recent events, including the sinking of the Gulf Livestock I, the stranding of over 15,000 sheep and cattle off the coast of West Australia, the foul odour in Cape Town caused by a live export vessel, and distressing footage of live export voyages, underscore the inherent dangers and inhumanities associated with this practice. Despite attempts to enhance shipping conditions, the fundamental issues persist unresolved. Animals experience considerable suffering during lengthy journeys, enduring injuries, stress, and dehydration that cannot be effectively mitigated through ship upgrades. These problems stem from the inability to shorten the duration of the journeys.
Once animals arrive at their destination, they fall outside the protective umbrella of New Zealand’s Animal Welfare Act, exposing them to suffering in unregulated environments. Reinstating live exports to countries with low animal welfare standards, such as China, compromises our farmers’ reputations and our global image as leaders in animal welfare.
This isn’t just about politics or economics; it’s about morality and humanity. It’s about standing on the right side of history and refusing to compromise our values
As a constituent in your region I am keen to know your thoughts on this matter, including how you potentially intend to vote should this come up this term.
Ngā mihi maioha,
[Name]
How to Use Email Templates to Correspond Effectively with Recipients
- Make it Yours: Add your own touch! Templates give you a head start, but personalise it with your thoughts as sometimes a templated email is ignored.
- Ring Ring! Sometimes, Talk is Better: For big issues or a good chat, consider calling or setting up a meeting with people.
- Don’t Forget Basics: Include your full name and address when emailing. If emailing a MP, it helps them recognise you’re a constituent and increases the chance of a response.
- Ping! Ping! Follow Up: If you don’t hear back, send a friendly reminder. Sometimes emails get lost, so a gentle nudge can help your message get noticed.
Subject: Potential reinstatement of live animal exports
Tauranga Port
Timaru Port
Kia ora,
I am writing to address concerns surrounding the potential reinstatement of live animal exports through [Port Name]. This issue holds significant implications not only for shareholders and stakeholders but also for the wider community.
It is crucial to consider the ethical and reputational risks.
It is not hard to find examples of the devastation caused by this trade. Recent incidents, such as the tragic sinking of the Gulf Livestock 1 in the East China Sea which sailed from Napier, serve as poignant reminders of the risks involved in live animal exports. The loss of human lives and New Zealand cattle in this incident highlights the gravity of the situation.
Ongoing tragedies with live animal exports in other regions further highlight the inherent risks and uncertainties associated with this industry and the negative global attention to the Ports. Examples include the MV Bahijah, with more than 15,000 sheep and cattle stranded off the coast of West Australia, creating a PR nightmare for the port of Fremantle and a literal nightmare for the animals. While in Cape Town a stench impacting the town was discovered to come from a livestock ship docked in the harbour.
It is important that you carefully consider the potential consequences of reinstating live exports. While improvements to shipping standards may be touted as addressing some concerns, it is essential to recognise that fundamental issues remain unresolved. Long-distance journeys inherently expose animals to various forms of distress and suffering, which cannot be mitigated through improved shipping conditions.
I’d love to learn your perspective and insights on how we can uphold the integrity and reputation of [Port Name] and ensure the welfare of animals and the well-being of our community.
Ngā mihi maioha,
[Name]
Ban Duck Shooting in Aotearoa
How to Use Email Templates to Correspond Effectively with Recipients
- Make it Yours: Add your own touch! Templates give you a head start, but personalise it with your thoughts as sometimes a templated email is ignored.
- Ring Ring! Sometimes, Talk is Better: For big issues or a good chat, consider calling or setting up a meeting with people.
- Don’t Forget Basics: Include your full name and address when emailing. If emailing a MP, it helps them recognise you’re a constituent and increases the chance of a response.
- Ping! Ping! Follow Up: If you don’t hear back, send a friendly reminder. Sometimes emails get lost, so a gentle nudge can help your message get noticed.
Email: [email protected]
Find your local MP: Find your Member of Parliament (MP) | New Zealand Government (www.govt.nz)
Subject: [Personalise the subject line, so less chance of it being deleted]
Kia ora Hon Todd McClay, [Local MP’s Name],
I am writing to urge you to take immediate action to ban duck shooting across Aotearoa, as it is a practice that is not only inhumane but also ecologically damaging.
Three species of native duck are allowed to be shot under the law. It’s hypocritical to invest millions of taxpayer dollars into efforts aimed at safeguarding our invaluable native bird populations only to have a duck shooting season. Furthermore, there is a large number of ducks that are maimed and wounded, which is against the humane slaughter laws in the Animal Welfare Act. The killing of animals must be done according to the Animal Welfare Act 1999. This Act makes it an offense to kill an animal in a way that causes unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress.
Western Australia banned duck hunting in 1990, NSW followed suit in 1995 and Queensland banned the practice in 2005. Why is Aotearoa so behind?
Recent reports and investigations globally show the harsh reality of duck shooting, exposing the unnecessary suffering inflicted upon thousands of waterbirds each year. Ducks, along with other native waterbirds, deserve to live their lives peacefully, free from the threat of being injured or killed for the sake of so-called “sport.”
Duck shooting is not a sport; it is nothing short of savagery. Shooting down defenceless animals cannot be justified as entertainment or sport by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, it goes against the very essence of what sport represents – fair competition and skilful engagement.
Ducks are intelligent and hold very special relationships. They are capable of abstract thinking and have deep emotional lives. If a single duck manages to survive the carnage they will ‘mourn’ the partner they bonded with.
Furthermore, duck shooting exacerbates the decline of wetlands and threatens endangered species. The supposed conservation efforts tied to hunting are unfounded and only serve to perpetuate ecological harm.
As a concerned citizen, I ask you to call an end to this barbaric practice. I have copied [Local MP’s Name] on this email as well, as I believe our local representatives must advocate for the welfare of our wildlife and ecosystems [Optional: And I will be seeking to meet them shortly].
Please consider this urgent matter seriously and take decisive action to ban duck shooting once and for all.
Nāku noa, nā [Your Name] [Your Contact Information]