About Us
ANZCCART is an independent body which was established to provide leadership in considering ethical, social and scientific issues relating to the use and wellbeing of animals in research and teaching; and to provide a focus for information and advice concerning the ethical and scientific use of animals in research and teaching. In New Zealand, ANZCCART comprises representatives from the research, animal welfare and education communities, and is a standing committee of the Royal Society Te Apārangi.
“The Committee meets regularly during the year to advance our underlying purpose to promote discussion around the social, ethical and scientific use of animals in research and teaching. We believe we contribute to a social license for such use by promoting the highest standards of care and consideration. Central to our philosophy is the active deployment of the “Three R’s” – the refinement, reduction and replacement of animals in research and teaching. Such discussions can be challenging. We facilitate them because we believe in considered and informed debate.” Hon Pete Hodgson, Chair – ANZCCART (NZ) (2012-2020)
Our Mission
Our corporate mission is to promote:
Excellence in the care of animals supplied for or used in research, testing (within New Zealand), and teaching;
Responsible scientific use of animals;
The Three Rs: Replacement, Reduction and Refinement as they apply to the use of animals for scientific purposes;
Informed discussion and debate within the community regarding these matters;
Strategic partnerships to contribute to the education and training of scientists, students and the broader community.
ANZCCART operates on a purely advisory basis and provides guidance and information to all interested parties including Animal Ethics Committees (AEC), scientists, teachers, regulatory authorities, granting agencies, government, animal welfare organisations, the media and the general public.
Our People
New Zealand Board Members:
Emeritus Professor Pat Cragg (Chair), retired, formerly University of Otago (2022-2024)
Chair of the ANZCCART New Zealand Board since April 2020. Pat is a physiologist, and from undergraduate training, a zoologist; her research area covered cardiorespiratory function and control in health and disease; her breadth of teaching is typified as a co-editor of a long-standing physiology textbook. Prior to retirement in May 2018, she held appointments at the University of Otago, for instance as Head of Department of Physiology, Associate Dean Academic Health Sciences and Acting Dean of School of Biomedical Sciences. Pat was on the University's Animal Ethics Committee for 27 years and on the ANZCCART New Zealand Board for 18 years, with four years as Deputy Chair, as well as seven years as the NZ representative on the ANZCCART Australian Board. For many years Pat was Secretary of the Physiological Society of NZ and Chair of the Scientific Committee of the Otago Medical Research Foundation (OMRF). she now Chairs the OMRF Council. From mid-April 2019 to the end of January 2022, she returned from retirement to be the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic at the University of Otago.
Dr Arnja Dale (Deputy Chair), Chief Scientific Officer, Royal New Zealand SPCA (2022-2024)
Arnja has over 20 years working in the field of animal welfare science in New Zealand and overseas. Arnja is the Chief Scientific Officer at SPCA New Zealand. Prior to joining SPCA, Arnja was a Senior Lecturer in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law, leading numerous research projects, and also led the animal welfare investigations training programme at Unitec. She is a current member of the ANZCCART NZ, the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) and the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC). Arnja is passionate about animal welfare science and changing the hearts and minds of the next generation through evidence-based education initiatives. Arnja lives in Auckland with her husband, 3 children, and her dog and cat.
Professor Ngaio Beausoleil, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University (2023)
Ngaio is Professor of Animal Welfare Science and Co-Director of the Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, NZ. She has been active in research, teaching and scholarship in relevant areas of animal physiology, behaviour and welfare science for 20 years. Her research employs behavioural and physiological methods to investigate various aspects of animal welfare in both domestic and wild animal species. A key strength is her systematic, science-based approach to evaluating animal welfare impacts and she has been closely involved in the evolution of the Five Domains Model for more than a decade. Ngaio provides scientific support, advice and research to governments, various animal industries and veterinary professional bodies in New Zealand and around the world. As well as being a member of ANZCCART, she is Chair of the New Zealand Veterinary Journal editorial board, an independent scientific expert on the Wellington Zoo Animal Welfare Committee and Massey liaison to the UK Universities Federation for Animal Welfare. She gets a real buzz out of working with postgraduate research students. Life outside of work includes children, horses and downhill mountain biking.
Dr Sally Birdsall, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education, University of Auckland (2022-2024)
I’m Sally Birdsall and I work at the Faculty of Education and Social Work in the University of Auckland. I teach and research in science and sustainability education with a focus on pedagogy – the theories, approaches and strategies that can be used to teach and learn effectively. In my work with ANZCCART New Zealand, I have led the development of two resources for secondary students where they can learn about the way scientists work with animals to produce scientific knowledge and think critically about the interconnectedness of science and society. Outside of work, I spend time with my three granddaughters and working to restore the biodiversity of the native bush remnants at my place and the reserve next door. I’m starting to see the effects of the restoration - the tūī population is growing each year and I’ve been visited by two kākā, native birds that have not been seen in my area for over 30 years.
Vanessa Borman, Animal Ethics Coordinator, AgResearch (2023-2025)
I have an MSc in Toxicology and experience in laboratory animal research, science administration and animal ethics. My inspiration is a love of science, animals and working with people. My current role is AgResearch Animal Ethics Coordinator which has provided the opportunity to travel and meet interesting people doing amazing things. I bring energy and action with a unique perspective on science and ethics.
Associate Professor Justin Dean, Department of Physiology, University of Auckland (2021-2023)
I study brain development, how it can be affected by premature birth, and ways to try to prevent or restore deficits in brain development. I was always fascinated by science, particularly the brain. I love the intellectual freedom associated with running a research laboratory and the training and teaching of younger scientists. After my PhD, my wife and I lived in Sweden and the USA as part of my postdoctoral training, and had children in those countries. Another highlight was the opportunity to return to NZ with family to start faculty research and teaching position at the University of Auckland. I am involved in coaching kids sports (cricket, netball, rugby), and also enjoy surfing, running, and cooking.
Dr Mike King, Senior Lecturer, Bioethics Centre, University of Otago (2022-2024)
I’m Head of Department at the Te Pokapū Matatika Koiora the Bioethics Centre, within the Dunedin School of Medicine and the Division of Health Sciences at the University of Otago. Bioethics Centre staff and students research, teach and learn about of the rights and wrongs (that is to say, the ethics) of healthcare and the biosciences. A lot of my work focuses on the ethics of animal use in research. I used to do animal research, which was the beginning of my path to my present career in bioethics. I come from the small town of Te Puke in the North Island of New Zealand. It has a sign saying it’s the kiwifruit capital of the world and has an enormous slice of kiwifruit on display to back it up.
Dr Kate Littin, Associate Member representative (2022-2024)
Kate Littin has worked at the Ministry for Primary Industries where she got to satisfy her deep interest in applying science to animal welfare policy. Kate’s farm upbringing and early interest in stress and animal behaviour led her to complete a PhD on the impacts of pesticides on possums and rats. This experience with humane pest control serves her well now as she and her family restore a beautiful wetland.
Mr Tipene Merritt, Kaiārahi Rangahau Māori, University of Canterbury (2023-2025)
I am the key advisor of Ko Aotearoa Tēnei (Wai 262) - Māori interests in research concerning native flora and fauna; have Governance role of an Australian Co-operative Research Centre, Future Farm Industries; and develop mutually beneficial research relationships between Māori communities and Universities. I am looking to add a Māori viewpoint and a research management perspective to the social, ethical and scientific use of animals in research and teaching. I am completing a PhD on the interface between Mātauranga Māori and the Intellectual Property Rights system. Further to this I am an active member in hapū/iwi affairs and I also practice yoga.
Ian Saldanha, Biosecurity Compliance Coordinator, Cawthron Institute (2023-2025)
I have been involved in the lab animal industry for over 10 years. Before taking up a position at the Cawthron Institute in Nelson, I was the Head of the Animal facility at the Malaghan Institute in Wellington. This is where my passion for working with animals grew. During this time, I served on the executive committee for Australia New Zealand Laboratory Animal Association (ANZLAA) for a few years where I used this opportunity to support those that work in the animal science field and meet others from the industry. One of the highlights in my career was getting the opportunity to travel the world, visit other animal facilities, and gain an understanding about how they operate. Outside my profession I have a love for the outdoors in particular running. I enjoy travelling, meeting new people, and of course spending time with my family.
ANZCCART Fellow (observer) Ms Morgan Heslop, PhD student, Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre, Massey University (2023-2025)
My research expertise is in animal welfare science, and I am particularly interested in how we understand the inner lives of animals. I was inspired to pursue a career in research when I learned of an entire scientific discipline dedicated to answering questions I had been asking myself for years! What I love most is discussing welfare and ethics with people who share my enthusiasm – or who can be convinced to!
Our members (funders):
Along with Unitec|Te Pūkenga.
If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact ANZCCART (NZ).
Background to ANZCCART (NZ)
ANZCCART is governed by separate Boards in New Zealand and Australia. ANZCCART (NZ) is a committee of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. Its principal sponsors are Universities New Zealand and AgResearch Ltd but it also receives annual contributions and/ or other support from organisations including the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Royal New Zealand SPCA. ANZCCART (NZ) promotes and supports the commitment to the principles embodied in the New Zealand legislation regulating the use of animals in research, testing and teaching in New Zealand (Animal Welfare Act 1999, Part 6).
Further information is available on the animal welfare principles of the Three Rs and ANZCCART’s History.
History of ANZCCART
ANZCCART, the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching, was established on the 1st of January, 1993, as a result of a collaborative effort between the Australian Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ACCART, established in May 1987) and various New Zealand authorities, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (now known as the Ministry for Primary Industries) and the Royal Society of New Zealand (now Royal Society Te Apārangi). In New Zealand, this followed decades of efforts by the Society to promote and progress the humane use of animals in science. The Australia-New Zealand collaboration aimed to address the growing need for ethical and scientific guidance in the use of animals for research and teaching purposes in both countries.
In New Zealand, ANZCCART operates as a committee of the Royal Society Te Apārangi, maintaining strong connections with its Australian counterpart. New Zealand formed a standing committee of the Royal Society and joined ACCART to form ANZCCART in 1993. The joint name was to emphasise united efforts in promoting the ethical use of animals in research and teaching across both nations.This partnership has allowed the organizations to share resources, expertise, and knowledge while working towards common goals.
For a comprehensive understanding of ANZCCART's history, we recommend reading the article “Reflections on the use of animals in research, testing and teaching in New Zealand – a historical perspective.” by Dr David Bayvel et al. (2011). (PDF, 653 kb, 4 pages) This article offers valuable insights into the development of ANZCCART and the progress made over the years in improving the ethical and scientific use of animals in research, testing, and teaching in both Australia and New Zealand.
Resource links about ANZCCART and animal welfare in New Zealand
The following resources about ANZCCART and animal welfare in New Zealand are available:
Animal Research Saves Lives (ANZCCART resource) (PDF, 1.8 MB, 14 pages)
ANZCCART Annual Report (PDF, 1.5 MB, 46 pages)
Culture of Care (NAEAC guide for people working with animals in research, testing and teaching) (PDF)
What is ANZCCART (2017)(ANZCCART resource) (PDF, 428 kb, 1 page)