In early 2026, SPCA celebrated confirmation from Ministers Andrew Hoggard and Todd McClay that plans to reinstate live animal exports will not progress this term. This makes any future revival of the trade unlikely. As New Zealand heads towards the November election, SPCA will continue campaigning to ensure live export is not restarted in future.

Thank you to every person and group who took action to protect the ban - this outcome would not have been possible without your support.

SPCA has been advocating for a ban on all live export of farmed animals for decades. See key milestones below.

2026 - Victory! Minister confirms plans to bring back live export have stalled

Tens-of-thousands of New Zealanders made their voices heard and in March, the government was forced to listen.

Agriculture Todd McClay stated: "It was a policy that the National [Party] had before the last election, and I put it forward as our agricultural spokesperson then, now as agricultural minister. But I was also very clear that we had to have a gold standard, and for animals to leave New Zealand, it had to be the highest level of animal welfare and animal husbandry that New Zealanders would expect. We are not convinced that that is possible and so we've said that we won't support that anymore."

Any attempt to restart live export faces overwhelming opposition. Thanks to every person and group who took action to protect the ban.

2025 - Public consultation on plans to repeal the live export ban due

• January SPCA submitted detailed feedback opposing the repeal of the live export ban during targeted stakeholder engagement, highlighting serious animal welfare concerns.
  
• April On the two-year anniversary of the ban coming into force, SPCA celebrated that over 250,000 cattle have been spared from live export.
• June One year since the petition to protect the ban was handed over and still no response from Government, so SPCA stepped up pressure by writing to all MPs and distributing postcards to the Prime Minister.
• September SPCA submitted in support of the Petition of John Hellström: Do not reverse the ban on the live export of farmed animals by sea
  

2024 - National-led Government announces plans to repeal New Zealand's world-leading ban

• January The National-led Government and live export industry lobbyists pledge to repeal the ban on live export, claiming the industry's undefined and unenforceable 'Gold Standard' could mitigate the welfare harms inherent to the live export trade
• February A survey commissioned by SPCA revealed that New Zealanders do not want the ban on live export repealed and SPCA signs onto an open letter from animal protection groups to live exporters
• March Petition to protect the ban on live exports launched
• May Export of live animals banned from the United Kingdom
• June Petition closes with over 57,000 signatures
• July Australia announces phase-out of live sheep exports
• August Petition presented to the Select Committee
• September Public consultation was due to open...but no updates from the Minister
• November A new survey commissioned by SPCA shows continuous public opposition to live export and PM Chris Luxon refused to answer questions about when public consultation could be expected or even confirm public consultation would go ahead

2023 - Ban on live export of farmed animals by sea comes into force

From April 30 2023, the ban on the live export of cattle, sheep, goats and deer came into force, ending decades of suffering caused by long sea journeys.

2022 - Bill to ban the live export of farmed animals by sea passes

In September 2022, the Bill to ban the live export of farmed animals by sea via an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act 1999 was passed. 81% of submitters supported a ban.

In the last full year before the ban, 134,590 cattle were exported by sea.

2021 - Ban on live export of farmed animals by sea for breeding announced

• March SPCA wrote directly to all Government Ministers to push for a complete ban on live export. Auckland Council, Cornwall Park Trust and all associated Councillors, CEO’s, Mayors and relevant Ministers were also directly contacted earlier this month in relation to plans to export cattle from Cornwall Park. Thanks to the outcry, these cattle were not exported.
• April The Government announced a phaseout of the live export of farmed animals by sea for slaughter or breeding, making New Zealand the first country in the world to ban this practice.

2020 - Reviews of live export

• January Alongside a multitude of meetings on the issue, New Zealand’s largest animal welfare charity submitted to the Government on the live export review.
• March SPCA wrote a joint open letter with SAFE to Jacinda Ardern: “Let’s show the world how kind we are.”
• September the Gulf Livestock 1 capsized, leading to the loss of 41 crew and 5,867 cattle.
• September SPCA submitted as part of the Heron review commissioned after the Gulf Livestock tragedy.

2019 – Government review of live export

In 2019, the NZ Government directed MPI to review the livestock export trade with the stated objective of allowing New Zealanders to reflect on improving the welfare of exported livestock. 95% of submitters supported a ban.

The review was triggered by the export of approximately 2,000 cattle to Sri Lanka that resulted in animal suffering and financial harm. Both affected farmers and Sri Lanka’s Auditor-General described the program, which aimed to help local farmers improve fresh milk supply, as “poorly planned and inhumane”; these outcomes and responses highlighted the welfare risks surrounding live export beyond New Zealand’s oversight.

2007 - Ban on live export of farmed animals by sea for slaughter

In 2007, we celebrated this huge win for animal welfare, however a loophole still allowed for farmed animals to be exported for breeding purposes.

2003 – Cormo Express

Saudi Arabia’s refusal to accept approximately 57,000 sheep aboard the Cormo Express led to a prolonged voyage, mass animal deaths and public outcry in both Australia and New Zealand. This resulted in a 6-year moratorium on live sheep exports from New Zealand.

1985 - Live export trade resumes

Despite continued opposition from animal welfare groups and meat workers, the live export trade started up again. SPCA continued to actively advocate for a total ban on the live export of farmed animals for slaughter or breeding purposes.

1974 – Temporary prohibition on the live sheep trade to the Middle East

In the early 1970s, the trade in live sheep for slaughter to the Middle East increased briefly before being temporarily prohibited in 1974 following “union complaints, critical SPCA reports and public criticism”.

1860s – The live export trade from New Zealand begins

Before the first shipment of refrigerated meat to London in 1882, animals could only be transported live.