Animal welfare alliance calls for Government to establish an independent Commissioner for Animals – Safe
An alliance of 21 animal protection organisations is delivering a petition to parliament at midday today, calling for the establishment of an independent Commissioner for Animals. Representatives from the Commissioner for Animals Alliance will present the petition, signed by more than 31,000 people, to Green Party animal welfare spokesperson Steve Abel on the Parliament forecourt.
SAFE chief executive officer Debra Ashton says independent oversight is urgently needed to address the current failings within the animal welfare system.
“Our animal welfare system is broken and animals are suffering as a result. Independent representation for animals at parliamentary level would support the Government’s commitment to the Animal Welfare Act and lead to significantly improved outcomes for animals.”
“The current system lacks enforcement and is poorly resourced” says Ashton. “Animals are being kept and raised in ways that do not align with the obligations set out under our animal welfare legislation and animals are suffering as a result. On top of that, we have charities up and down the country doing their absolute best on minimal resources. There is a serious risk here of New Zealand falling behind the rest of the world and it is time the Government took animal welfare seriously.”
Following the release of the New Zealand Animal Law Association’s December 2025 report, A Commissioner for Animals in New Zealand, the alliance reaffirmed its longstanding call for urgent, independent representation for animals. Members say an independent commissioner at parliamentary level would help address the systemic conflicts of interest embedded in the animal welfare system, where independent oversight is urgently needed to improve transparency, accountability, and overall effectiveness.
“Farmed animal welfare regulation in New Zealand is currently shaped to a significant extent by the very industries profiting from the use of animals, rather than being driven by animal’s welfare needs, existing legal protections, and society’s expectations. These systemic failures demand transparent and meaningful reform” says Ashton.
Members of the Commissioner for Animals Alliance work across the spectrum of animal welfare; from animals used on farms, in entertainment, in the wild and in laboratories, to those who reside in our own backyards. Alliance members include: Animals Aotearoa, Animal Evac, Animal Save NZ, Australian Alliance for Animals, Chained Dog Awareness, Community Cat Coalition, Companion Animals NZ, Goat Welfare NZ, Greenpeace Aotearoa, Greyhound Protection League NZ, HUHA, Māui & Hector’s Dolphins Defenders, New Zealand Animal Law Association, NZAVS, Orca Research Trust, SAFE, Wellington Rabbit Rescue, Whale Rescue, World Animal Protection, Vegan FTA, and Voiceless.
Recent polling undertaken by SAFE and Verian indicates 98% of New Zealanders believe it is important to protect animals from cruelty and neglect, with 85% of people agreeing decisions on animal welfare should be made by an independent body. This polling also reveals that only 39% believe the Government is currently doing a good job enforcing the Animal Welfare Act.
“New Zealanders care about animals and their wellbeing, and this is evidenced by strong public support for genuine change to our failing animal welfare system” says Ashton.
By offering a simple, positive solution, the alliance says an independent commissioner would act solely in the interests of animals – free from bias and industry influence – ensuring laws, policies, and enforcement genuinely uphold the Animal Welfare Act.
” We need oversight and accountability in the form of a commissioner to create a system New Zealanders can be proud of.”
