Why and when an animal ethics approval is needed

The Animal Welfare Act 1999

The welfare of animals in New Zealand is covered by the Animal Welfare Act 1999. Part 6 of the Act covers the use of animals for research, testing and teaching (RTT). This part acknowledges that compromised care and pain or distress to animals in some cases may result in significant benefits to people, other animals or the environment. However, the use of animals in RTT involves legislative obligations and responsibilities. One of the provisions of the Act is that any manipulation of a live animal for RTT is prohibited unless it has been approved by an Animal Ethics Committee (AEC).

All staff and students at the University of Auckland must have approval from the University of Auckland Animal Ethics Committee prior to starting research, testing or teaching involving animals.

The use of animals in RTT will only be approved if the AEC is satisfied that the conditions specified in the Code of Ethical Conduct and Section 100 of the Act are met.

University policies and procedures

The University regards the use of animals as a justifiable and important part of current teaching and research programmes, provided alternatives are used whenever and wherever possible.

The Act requires the University to have a Code of Ethical Conduct.

The Code of Ethical Conduct is approved by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), and enables the University to establish an Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) to consider applications involving the use of animals for research, testing and teaching.

In conjunction with the Code of Ethical Conduct, the procedures to be followed by the AEC are specified in the AEC Process Document.

Approval from the AEC must be sought:

• For any manipulation of any animal for the purpose of research, teaching or testing*
• For the killing of an animal in order to undertake research or teaching on a dead animal or their tissues
• For using animals in fieldwork, if the use of animals extends beyond simple observation

If animal work is undertaken in collaboration with other institutions, please contact the animal ethics secretariat to discuss which AEC should consider your application and what additional procedures may need to be followed. Before applying, first determine whether AEC approval is required using this flowchart.

If you are still not sure if AEC approval is required, contact the animal ethics secretariat.

*For the definition of ‘Manipulation’, ‘Animal’, ‘Research, testing and teaching’, please see the ‘Interpretation’ section on pages 10-17 of the Animal Welfare Act 1999.

Animal Ethics Committee
Email: animalethics@auckland.ac.nz