Search Results

New Zealanders' Attitudes to Animal Research in 2023 A recently conducted study reveals New Zealanders’ perspectives and knowledge on the use of animals in scientific research, testing, and teaching. The study was conducted on behalf of the New Zealand board of the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART NZ). You can read the report here: ANZCCART_Animal research report Final .pdf Download PDF • 1.25MB ANZCCART Press release: New Study Reveals New Zealanders' Views on Animal Use in Scientific Research and Teaching Science Media Centre expert reaction to the study can be read here .

Media Information This page provides information on recent press releases, an image database, and web resources related to the use of animals in research, testing or teaching. Press releases 21 January 2026: ANZCCART NZ responds to Ministry for Primary Industries’ release of 2024 statistics on the use of animals in research, testing and teaching 20 March 2025: ANZCCART NZ releases third annual report on Openness Agreement for animal research and teaching 20 March 2025: ANZCCART NZ responds to New Zealand's animal research statistics for 2023 10th September 2024: New animal ethics resources include Māori knowledge 17 May 2024: A good step-up in Three Rs reporting and other positive trends: 2022 New Zealand Animal Research, Testing and Teaching Statistics 8 March 2024: ANZCCART New Zealand releases second annual report on Openness Agreement for animal research and teaching 13 November 2023: New Study Reveals New Zealanders' Views on Animal Use in Scientific Research and Teaching 21 August 2023: A step forward in openness in animal research and teaching but more progress needed in Three Rs reporting: New Zealand's Animal Research Statistics of 2021 30 March 2023: ANZCCART releases first report on Openness Agreement in Animal Research and Teaching 30 May 2022: Openness on use of animals in research testing and teaching statistics 27 July 2021: Science organisations pledge openness in animal research and teaching in New Zealand 1 September 2017: New resources highlight innovative ways to replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in research Submissions 21 May 2024: Submission to the Science System Advisory Group - First Phase Pat_Cragg_ANZCCART NZ_Phase1 .pdf Download PDF • 201KB Media coverage 7 October 2025: Funding to find alternatives to animal testing 24 September 2024: Māori knowledge of animals 21 March 2024: Global initiative to make animal research more transparent turns 10 – has it worked? 13 November 2023: Attitudes towards animal testing and research in Aotearoa – Expert Reaction Image database for the use of animals in research, testing or teaching An image database featuring copyright free images of animals suitable for use in stories on animal use in testing, teaching and research is available through the Understanding Animal Use website (UK based). This website also contains a number of resources on the use of animals in research. Resources Understanding Animal Research (UK website) Animal Welfare Act 1999 (Parliamentary Council Office website) Guide to the Animal Welfare Act (Ministry for Primary Industries website) The National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) website The National Animal Welfare Committee (NAWAC) website SPCA New Zealand Alt web (resource database hosted by Johns Hopkins University) Annual Report (PDF, 1.5 MB, 46 pages)

Links to resources from other organisations International organisations promoting the ethical care and use of laboratory animals ANZCCART (NZ) has memberships or partnerships with four international organisations that promote greater openness, or the ethical care and humane use, of animals in research, in order to learn from international best practice. AAALAC International In late September 2009, ANZCCART New Zealand was approved for membership in the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care international (AAALAC International). ANZCCART continues to support the mission and work of AAALAC International by serving as an AAALAC “Member Organization.” ANZCCART joins more than 75+ other prestigious scientific, professional and educational organizations from around the world that have an interest in advancing animal well-being in science. AAALAC International is the world’s largest accrediting body for animal research and education programs. Currently more than 1,175 companies, universities, hospitals, government agencies and other research institutions in 52 countries/regions have earned AAALAC accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to responsible animal care and use. These institutions volunteer to participate in AAALAC's program, in addition to complying with all applicable local and national laws that regulate animal research. Those that meet or exceed applicable standards are awarded accreditation —a mark of quality assurance recognized around the world. ANZCCART' s continued participation as an AAALAC International Member Organization demonstrates our commitment to responsible animal care and use. It's an opportunity to join with other respected organizations to communicate that excellence in animal welfare is critical to quality science and education. For more information on AAALAC visit www.aaalac.org . International Council for Laboratory Animal Science In 2005, ANZCCART New Zealand was approved for membership in the International Council for Laboratory Animal Science (ICLAS). ICLAS is an international scientific organisation dedicated to advancing human and animal health by promoting the ethical care and use of laboratory animals in research worldwide. European Animal Research Association In 2020, ANZCCART signed a MoU with the European Animal Research Association ( EARA ) which reflects a shared commitment to greater openness, improved communications and constructive public discourse in relation to animal research in Australia and New Zealand. Understanding Animal Research In 2020, ANZCCART became a member of Understanding Animal Research ( UAR ), which seeks to achieve a broad understanding of the humane use of animals in medical, veterinary, scientific and environmental research. There is now a UAR Oceania. Feature articles This section includes a selection of external articles that are relevant to researchers, teachers and students who use animals in their work. If you know of an article that should be included in this resource bank please contact us with the full reference. Squeaky clean mice could be ruining research . Nature (2018):Apr 5;556(7699):16-18 Should research animals be named? Science (2015): Vol. 347 no. 6225 pp. 941-943 Line of attack . Science (2015): Vol. 347 no. 6225 pp. 938-940 Resource bank and recommendations on best practice ANZCCART aims to promote best practice whenever animals are used for research, testing or teaching. This resource bank contains articles, newsletters and information that will help you keep up to date with the latest developments in animal welfare. Statistical design for animal welfare. We strongly recommend the resources on designing animal experiments provided by Michael Festing . Alt web (resource database hosted by Johns Hopkins University) Animal Welfare Act 1999 (Parliamentary Council Office website) ANZCCART Conferences on animal welfare in the context of research, testing and teaching Culture of Care (A NAEAC guide for people working with animals in research, testing and teaching) (PDF, 393 kb, 6 pages) Ethical guidelines for students in laboratory classes involving the use of animals and animal tissues NZ_Ethical_guide_2007 .doc Download DOC • 105KB Guide to the Animal Welfare Act (Ministry of Primary Industries website) SPCA New Zealand The National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) website The National Animal Welfare Committee (NAWAC) website

< Back External Resources Links to resources from other organisations Previous Next

< Back External Resources Links to resources from other organisations Previous Next

< Back External Resources Links to resources from other organisations Previous Next

Openness Agreement The New Zealand Board of the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART), a Committee of the Royal Society Te Apārangi, has supported the development of an Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching for New Zealand. A draft version of the Agreement went out for consultation in 2020/21, and was launched at the ANZCCART 2021 conference on 27 July 2021: Press release about launch of Openness Agreement Media coverage: New Zealand Herald ; Science Media Centre NZ ; Radio New Zealand ; Farmers Weekly; the Mandarin New Zealand has long been committed to maintaining and improving high standards of animal welfare as well as undertaking world-leading research and teaching using animals. Those involved in research have an obligation to demonstrate and promote these values, and in order to be seen as trustworthy they must be open, transparent, and accountable for the research and teaching that they conduct, fund or support, including when the high standards they strive for are not achieved. Doing more to communicate the context in which animal research and teaching takes place, the work that organisations undertake to incorporate the Three Rs (the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of animals), the regulations that govern this research, and the systems that are in place to report and rectify poor practice is key. The objective of this Agreement is to ensure that the public are well informed about what animal research involves, the role it plays in the overall process of scientific discovery, how such research is regulated in New Zealand, and what researchers and animal care staff do to promote welfare, reduce animal usage and minimise suffering and harm to the animals. Several countries have now implemented (or are actively working on) formal ‘openness agreements’ to improve public understanding of animal research. Under such agreements, stakeholders make a public pledge to be more open about their involvement in animal research and explain details and reasons underlying it. The European Animal Research Association has several examples of openness agr eements. The longest established openness agreement is the UK Concordat on Openness on Animal Research . The UK Concordat has operated successfully since 2014 and now has over 120 signatories representing leading universities, research institutes, government agencies, funders and industry. Commit m e nts The Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in New Zealand sets out five Commitments that require signatories to take steps to be more open about the use of animals in research and teaching. The five commitments are: We will be clear about why and how we use animals in research and teachin g. We will enhance our communications with the media and the public about our use of animals in research and teaching. We will be proactive in providing opportunities for the public to find out about research and teaching using animals. We will enhance our communications with tangata whenua about our use of animals in research and teaching. We will report on progress annually and share our experiences. Following a review of the Agreement in 2024, an additional category of "Supporter" was added as a type of signatory for organisations that do not conduct animal research or teaching directly but have indirect involvement in ways such as providing funding, regulatory oversight, supplying equipment or animals for, or serving as professional bodies. View the agreement here: ANZCCART Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in New Zealand – 2025 Openness Agreement Annual Report Signatories report annually on their progress and share experiences: 2022 An nual Report: Download (Press Release ) (infographic ) 2023 Annual Report: Download (Press Re lease ) (infographic ) 2024 Annual Report: Download (Press Release ) (infographic ) 2025 Annual Report: Download (Press Release ) (infographic ) Signatories The signatories to this agreement are: Research & Teaching Signatories Supporter Signatories If your organisation would like to join the Agreement, please contact: anzccart@royalsociety.org.nz

< Back Our People Our People Previous Next

< Back Schools Information for New Zealand Teachers, Science Technicians and Students Previous Next

< Back Animal Research in New Zealand Information on Animal Research in New Zealand for Schools Previous Next

< Back Animal Research in New Zealand Information on Animal Research in New Zealand for Schools Previous Next

< Back Animal Comfort Animal welfare Previous Next