Decline in High-Impact Welfare Effects on Animals in New Zealand Research: Encouraging Progress

Understanding the Latest New Zealand Animal Research Statistics

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) recently released its 2024 Statistics on the Use of Animals in Research, Testing, and Teaching (RTT), revealing a significant rise in overall animal usage to 602,318 animals—the highest figure recorded since mandatory reporting began in 1987.11360 This marks an increase of 285,750 animals compared to 2023, driven largely by surges in fish (292,348 used) and cattle (178,637), reflecting New Zealand's strong emphasis on aquaculture, veterinary, and agricultural studies conducted primarily at universities.113 Despite this uptick, a notable positive development is the decline in the number of animals subjected to 'high' or 'very high' welfare impacts, a trend hailed as encouraging by the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART).048

These statistics are compiled under the Animal Welfare Act 1999, which mandates strict oversight through Animal Ethics Committees (AECs) at institutions like universities. Every approved RTT project must justify animal use, prioritize the 3Rs principles—Replacement (non-animal methods), Reduction (fewer animals), and Refinement (minimizing suffering)—and categorize welfare impacts from 'no impact' to 'very high impact'.68 For New Zealand's higher education sector, where universities accounted for 393,044 animals in 2024 (a more than fourfold increase), these figures underscore both challenges and progress in ethical research practices.

Breaking Down Welfare Impact Categories

Welfare impact in NZ animal research is assessed based on the severity and duration of procedures, pain, distress, or deprivation experienced by animals. Categories include:

• No impact or minor impact: Routine handling or observations with negligible effects, comprising the majority in recent years.
• Moderate impact: Procedures causing discomfort manageable with analgesics.
• High impact: Significant pain, distress, or long-term effects, often requiring justification for scientific necessity.
• Very high impact: Severe suffering, typically endpoint euthanasia, used only in essential cases like terminal disease models.

In the 2024 report, fewer than 2% of animals (around 10,950) experienced high or very high impacts, a decline from previous years where proportions reached 17% in 2023 for certain subsets.11068 This shift is attributed to refined protocols, better analgesia, and increased tissue-only use (animals euthanized solely for organs), which rose notably.113 Universities, key players in biomedical and veterinary fields, have driven this through AEC-mandated refinements.

Trends in Animal Usage: From 2023 to 2024

Comparing years highlights volatility tied to specific projects. In 2023, 316,568 animals were used, plus 110,565 bred but unused and euthanized; the three-year rolling average was around 340,000.68 2024's spike, pushing the rolling average to 437,077, stemmed from:

• Species conservation (201,818 animals, major increase), often wild-caught fish for ecological studies.
• Veterinary research (161,974), crucial for NZ's livestock industry.
• Basic biological and animal husbandry research at unis like Massey and Otago.

Deaths/euthanasia totaled 110,245 in 2024 (slight decrease), but bred-unused killings rose to 139,686, emphasizing needs for better breeding forecasting.113 Rehoming dropped to 141 animals, mostly fish and cattle, from 444 in 2023.

University dominance grew: from 29% in 2023 to over 65% in 2024, likely due to expanded ag/aquaculture programs at institutions such as the University of Auckland and Massey University, aligning with national priorities in sustainable farming.

The Role of New Zealand Universities in Animal Research

New Zealand's eight universities conduct RTT across biomedical, veterinary, and environmental fields, overseen by institutional AECs. In 2024, they used 393,044 animals, focusing on purposes like species conservation and veterinary science—vital for a nation where agriculture contributes 12% to GDP.113 For academics seeking roles in these areas, explore research jobs or NZ university positions on AcademicJobs.com.

Key examples:

• University of Auckland: Biomedical research includes neuroscience and pharmacology; adheres to the Openness Agreement, publishing annual stats voluntarily.
• Massey University: Veterinary school leads in 3Rs, with a skills lab using simulators replacing live animals for surgery training.
• University of Otago: Focuses on medical and dental research; introduced animal research awards in 2025 to promote refinement.

This university-led research supports high-impact publications, but ethical constraints ensure welfare prioritization.

Implementing the 3Rs: Success Stories from Kiwi Campuses

The 3Rs, formalized globally by Russell and Burch in 1959, are embedded in NZ's Animal Welfare Act. ANZCCART promotes them via resources like booklets on invertebrate models and bioluminescent tracking.112 Universities excel:

• Massey's 'communication portal' database shares samples, reducing animal needs; won 2023 3Rs award.94
• Auckland replaced mouse strains in teaching with non-animal labs.
• Otago's AEC monitors end-project reports rigorously.

In 2023, institutions reported 48 replacement, 60 reduction, 63 refinement examples—up significantly.68 Funding from NZ Anti-Vivisection Society (NZAVS) supports uni grants for alternatives, like $50k for non-animal methods.13

Stakeholder Perspectives: Balancing Science and Ethics

ANZCCART views the high-impact decline positively, noting stable long-term averages and Three Rs progress, despite annual fluctuations from pest control or vaccine trials.68 Conversely, groups like NZAVS and Beyond Animal Research highlight record totals and 'shadow sacrifices' (unused bred animals), urging more replacement investment.113109

Public attitudes, per 2023 surveys, support regulated research (70%+ approval) but demand transparency via the Openness Agreement signed by 21 institutions.95 For researchers, this fosters trust, aiding grant success and career growth—check academic CV tips.

Challenges and Drivers Behind the Numbers

Increases trace to wild-captured fish (14x rise) for conservation amid biodiversity crises, and cattle for sustainable farming trials. Universities ramped up amid funding for Māori-led research incorporating kaitiakitanga (guardianship).113 Challenges include breeding overproduction and limited replacement funding (only 164 animals for alternatives dev in 2024).

Photo by Art Markiv on Unsplash

Future Outlook: Towards Humane, Innovative Research

Prospects include AI models for prediction (e.g., protein folding per Nobel 2024), organoids, and microphysiological systems—NZ unis piloting these.51 Government pushes via NAEAC awards; expect continued high-impact decline as 3Rs mature. For aspiring researchers, opportunities abound in ethical alternatives—visit research jobs and career advice.

In summary, while totals rose, welfare improvements signal NZ higher ed's commitment to responsible science, positioning universities as global leaders.