Some may wonder why a veterinarians’ union would make submissions on legislation such as the Regulatory Standards Bill or the Animal Welfare (Pigs) Reform Amendment.

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For the Aotearoa Veterinarians’ Union, engaging with public policy is not outside our remit; it is central to our mission. As a union, we are committed to upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to standing for fairness, equity, and democracy in all forms.

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Veterinarians work at the intersection of animal welfare, public health, and community wellbeing, and so our advocacy naturally extends to issues that affect those areas.

We also recognise that the rights of workers are inseparable from the rights of women, Tangata Whenua, queer communities, and others who experience systemic disadvantage. Solidarity means standing together — because when one group is excluded or diminished, all are made more vulnerable.