Aotearoa leading the way

After a two-year phase out, the long-awaited ban on live export by sea finally came into place this year.

Fuelled by the tireless advocacy of SAFE and supporters across the country, this year marked Aotearoa becoming the first country to ban the export of animals by sea. The legislation, which came into effect on April 30, will spare hundreds of thousands of animals from the horrors of live export.

We are eternally grateful to those who have stood in tireless protest for every ship that came into the ports of Taranaki, Timaru, and Napier.

Over 52,000 emails were sent to Government officials over the course of our campaign, with over 4,000 emails sent to the Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor calling for an immediate ban, rather than a phase out. Media coverage was extensive, with staff regularly interviewed by key media including Newshub, 1News, Radio New Zealand, Stuff and Al Jazeera.

Since the ban was announced, SAFE has supported and liaised with international groups working to achieve a ban on live export to and from their countries. It was encouraging to see a Brazilian court announce a ban on live export on the eve of the ban coming into effect here in New Zealand.

On the day of the ban, SAFE proudly celebrated with supporters across the country at shipping ports in Timaru and Napier.

Amid the celebrations, however, came shocking news. Soon after the ban came into effect, ACT party MP, Mark Cameron, put a member's bill in the ballot box to overturn the ban. National’s animal welfare spokesperson Nichola Grigg said their party would reintroduce live export, with the addition of a ‘gold standard’ welfare conditions.

Of course, SAFE immediately began work to protect and entrench the ban. With your help, we will continue to advocate for animals shipped in dangerous conditions, to countries with lower standards of welfare than our own.

SAFE CEO, Debra Ashton observes a live export ship at Napier’s port.