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Animal Justice Party

Animal Justice Party Aotearoa New Zealand
Not in Parliament Founded 2022
DW
RM
Co-leaders
Danette Wereta & Rob McNeil

Compassionate, non-violent, sustainable.

0
Seats
0.0% of 123

Overview

The Animal Justice Party is a New Zealand party centred on animal welfare and animal rights. It advocates non-violence towards animals, environmental sustainability, and a transition away from animal-based agriculture towards a plant-based economy, and campaigns for stronger legal protections for animals — including a proposed Commissioner for Animals. It holds no seats in the current Parliament.

History

The party grew out of the Animal Justice Auckland advocacy group and consultation with the Australian Animal Justice Party, and registered with the Electoral Commission in August 2023. It contested its first general election that year, standing 17 candidates for 0.17% of the party vote and no seats, and later ran in the 2025 local elections. It is co-led by Danette Wereta and Rob McNeil.

Incorporated as a society in November 2022 and registered with the Electoral Commission in August 2023, alongside its Australian sister party.

Core values

Transition to a plant-based economy, supporting farmers to change
End intensive winter grazing and factory farming
Oppose animal experimentation and the fur and leather trades
End recreational hunting, fishing and animal-entertainment industries
Create a Commissioner for Animals with legal standing
Embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles in how animals are governed

Key policy areas

Policy topics most associated with Animal Justice Party. Tap any topic to compare every party's position side by side.

Leadership
DW
Danette Wereta
Co-leader
RM
Rob McNeil
Co-leader
At a glance
Total seats0
Electorate seats0
List seats0
Share of House0.0%
Founded2022

Caucus

Animal Justice Party holds 0 seats in the 54th Parliament.

Full caucus list will appear here once the Parliament API integration is complete.

Sources

Seat counts from the 2023 General Election (Electoral Commission). Party background from parliament.nz and official party records. Leadership details pending Parliament API verification.