Petition to safeguard New Zealand’s live animal export ban ignored
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This time last year, over 57,000 voices showed the Government that New Zealanders want to #ProtectTheBan on live exports.
Update:
Together, we protected the ban this parliamentary term
In March 2026, Minister Andrew Hoggard confirmed that plans to reinstate live animal exports will not go ahead this term of parliament.
This means the legislation banning live animal exports by sea remains in place, continuing to safeguard animals from cruel and exhausting journeys.
Thank you for helping #ProtectTheBan.
Live export ban stands
Hundreds of thousands of animals across Aotearoa New Zealand are safer after Minister Andrew Hoggard confirmed that plans to reinstate live animal exports by sea will not go ahead this term of parliament.
Image: Live export ban petition handover. Credit: SAFE
The petition to safeguard the ban on live animal exports - initiated by Dr John Hellström ONZM - was formally presented to Parliament 12 months ago, and since then the Government has failed to issue a response.
Thanks to you, World Animal Protection stand alongside a group of animal organisations today calling for an urgent update from the Government.
This ban was an act of international leadership in animal welfare, and we then saw similar phase outs announced in Australia and the United Kingdom.
To reintroduce live exports here in Aotearoa would be a huge step backwards, and would damage our international reputation.
Animals on board New Zealand live cattle export voyages are often exposed to rough seas, lack of ventilation, heat stress, injury, illness and sometimes even death.
In June last year, together, we joined Dr John Hellström, animal groups and animal lovers from all over Aotearoa New Zealand to hand in the Parliamentary Petition with over 57,000 signatures demanding the Government protects the world-leading ban on cruel live exports by sea.
In April 2023, Aotearoa New Zealand took a giant step forward by becoming the first country to ban the live export of animals by sea. If the ban is reversed, our animals may once again be exposed to this cruel trade.
Your kind-hearted support is helping keep the pressure on the Government to safeguard the live export ban in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Together, we can protect cattle, sheep and more from cruel live exports by sea.
Live export
On 30th April 2023, Aotearoa New Zealand became the first country in the world to ban live export by sea.
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Factory farming traps farmed animals in an endless cycle of abuse and cruelty. This tragedy will only worsen as demand for meat grows globally.