Animal Welfare

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) leads and facilitates the management of animal welfare policy and practice in New Zealand. It promotes policies for the humane treatment of animals, and is a key participant in the ongoing animal welfare debate.

Complaints made about non- compliance with the Animal Welfare Act 1999 including cases of animal ill-treatment or cruelty are investigated by MAF and the SPCA. While the vast majority of complaints are dealt with through consultation and education, successful prosecutions against persistent or blatant offenders are routinely undertaken. more

Animal welfare Act 1999

This act was largely written by Neil Wells

he is also the man who has written a number of the Codes for various animals

this is how he was reported in 1989

Approved Organizations

In 1999 a new Animal welfare Act passed into law   this brought into being approved Organizations , which was a concept introduced By Mr. Wells following his pilot program in Waitakere City there are two " approved Organizations" in New Zealand

previously only the police MAF and SPCA   could undertake law enforcement with regards to animals

RNZSPCA a registered charitable society

and

AWINZ an unincorporated trust which ahs existed in a number of Guises since the concept was first put forward by Wells in 1998.

Much confusion surrounds AWINZ, who or what it is, one thing is certain is that it is now registered on the charities web site and lists four members One being he current manager animal welfare Waitakere city council   and another the former manager animal welfare Waitakere city.

Who is who in Animal Welfare