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Animals used in New Zealand

In New Zealand alone, more than 300,000 animals are used in scientific research, testing and teaching every year.

 

The scale of animal use in Aotearoa New Zealand

A decade of data reveals how many animals are used, killed, or never used at all

While not all animals face harm, tens of thousands still endure acute suffering due to invasive procedures, chemical exposure, or euthanasia at study end. Many remain confined to the lab.

To understand what counts as “use,” see our guide to animal testing and harmful animal use in science.

Between 2014 and 2024:

  • More than 3.5 million animals were used in science in NZ
  • 1.2 million were killed after use
  • An estimated 1.6 million were bred but never used, and still killed
  • This totals more than 2.8 million animals killed in just 10 years.

We break down how these numbers were calculated in this detailed methodology article.

 

Globally, the scale is even greater. It’s estimated that at least 192 million animals are used worldwide each year, and that’s considered a conservative estimate.

Animals used vs used and killed in NZ

The graph below shows the total number of animals used for scientific purposes in New Zealand, compared with the number used and killed each year from 1987 to 2024.

This long-term view highlights how animal use has changed over time, and how many animals do not survive the process.

Animals bred, not used, but still killed

Many people are surprised to learn that thousands of additional animals are bred for research but never used in scientific procedures. These are often referred to as “excess animals.”

The graph below shows the number of animals in New Zealand that were bred for scientific purposes but never used, and later killed.

This data has only been collected in NZ since 2019.

The animals most commonly used are:
Mice Rats Fish Guinea pigs
This also includes amphibians, cats, cephalopods and crustaceans, goats, hamsters, possums, and sheep.

What animals are used for

In New Zealand, animal use is formally categorised as research, testing, and teaching.

The government categorises animal use into:
• Teaching
• Species conservation
• Environmental management
• Animal husbandry
• Basic biological research
• Medical research
• Veterinary research
• Testing (safety and compliance)
• Production of biological agents
• Development of alternatives
• Offspring with compromised welfare
• Other

You can explore how this fits within the system in how animal testing is regulated in New Zealand.

Why are animals used for science?

The graph below shows the purposes for which animals are used in research, testing, and teaching in New Zealand.

The figures represent an average of data collected over the past six years (2019–2024).

Note: A breakdown showing how many animals were killed within each purpose category is not publicly available.

This absence of transparency is one of the key barriers to progress in replacing harmful animal use.

Types of animals used

A wide range of species are used for science in New Zealand. Almost any species can be used in harmful ways for research, testing and teaching.

The only animals requiring special approval are great apes, such as:
Gorillas Chimpanzees Bonobos Orangutans

Learn more about this in the Animal testing laws in New Zealand.

Many people are surprised to learn that:

Cattle have been one of the top three animals used in science since 1989. These animals, along with many other farmed animals are typically used in research aimed at trying to sustain or optimise the animal agriculture industry.

Primates have historically been used in New Zealand.

 

Examples include:

1992: 12 chimpanzees used
1997: 2 orangutans and 7 spider monkeys used in research and teaching
2004: 19 baboons used in behavioural studies
2007: Chimpanzees studied at an NZ zoo
2018: 5 chimpanzees used in veterinary research

Most commonly killed animals in NZ

The graph below shows the 10 most commonly used and killed species for scientific purposes in New Zealand.

The figures represent a six-year average (2019–2024).

Other species involved (in smaller numbers) include goats, reptiles, cats, pigs, deer, dogs, horses, marine mammals, and alpacas.

How animal suffering is measured

In New Zealand, the impact on animals is graded using a system from A (no impact) to E (very high impact).
These grades aim to quantify the pain, stress, or distress experienced by the animals.
However, this system has limitations.

  • It focuses on the procedure, not the outcome
  • An animal can be killed and still classified as “low impact”

This highlights a key issue discussed in the "what’s stopping progress?" section.

A
No or virtually no impact
No stress or pain
Observation of animals in natural habitats
B
Little impact
Minor, short-term effects
Mild skin irritation tests
C
Moderate impact
Moderate or longer-lasting effects
Exposure to extreme temperatures
D
High impact
Significant distress or prolonged suffering
Studies involving toxic agents
E
Very high impact
Severe suffering or death
Lethal vaccine testing

Learn how this compares with alternatives to animal testing that avoid harmful impacts altogether.

Most commonly used animals in high-impact studies

The graph below shows the five species most frequently used in high-impact (Grades D and E) studies.

These are procedures involving significant pain, distress, or lasting harm. Examples from recent data include:
Mice euthanised after force-feeding injuries Pregnant cows experiencing lameness Fish exposed to lethal heat stress Sheep used in castration trials Guinea pigs used in vaccine testing Stoats used in poison development

Where animals are used

More than 100 organisations in New Zealand use animals for science. These include:
Universities and polytechnics
Commercial organisations
Schools
Government departments (e.g. DOC, MPI)
Crown Research Institutes
Zoos, wildlife parks, and private individuals

Where animals are used and killed

The graph below shows where animals are used and killed across New Zealand. Data is based on a five-year average (2020–2024).

This provides insight into which sectors are most involved in harmful animal use.

Where animals are sourced from

Animals used for science in New Zealand come from a range of sources:
Breeding units
Commercial suppliers
Farms
Captured from the wild
Imported from overseas
Public sources (including pounds and donated animals)
Many people are surprised to learn that hamsters, which are illegal as companion animals in NZ, are imported for use in science, along with rats, mice, rabbits, birds, and amphibians.

What happens to animals after use

After being used in science, animals may:
Be killed during or after the study Be kept for further use Be returned to the wild Rarely, be rehomed
The graph below shows outcomes for animals after use.

The significance of accuracy

When it comes to animals used for science, context matters.The numbers can be confronting, and they should be.

But without understanding what those numbers represent, it’s easy to draw conclusions that don’t reflect the full picture.

At BAR, our focus is clear:

Ending the harmful use of animals in science as quickly and effectively as possible.

That requires:
Accurate data
Honest conversations
Collaboration with the science community
Investment in alternatives and non-animal methods

If you’re unsure about something you’ve seen or read, contact us. We’re here to help unpack the details.