NZAVS is committed to uphold and support to the best of its physical and financial resources any protest, demonstration or campaign aimed at stopping the cruel and archaic live shipments of animals. To this end Wellington members Andrew Cliff (left) and Simon Cottle undertook a protest on behalf of the Society at Timaru Wharf... which kept them there for a week, prior to the Merino Express departing for Mexico on 23 December 1985 with a cargo of 17,641 ewes, more than 600 of which would die en-route, 152 on the dockside on arrival, a further 100 as a result of the voyage - the miserable survivors being goaded and trucked long distances in extremely distressed condition (in a country where there are no laws of protection)... to be ritually slaughtered.

The NZ RSPCA, whilst stating opposition to the trade approved the ship's condition as satisfactory prior to sailing. The NZ Veterinary Association approves the trade, but the one person immediately responsible for driving the nail in the coffin of New Zealand's humanitarian history is Mr Colin Moyle, Minister of Agriculture, Parliament, Wellington.. who, comfortably ensconced in his office on 25 September 1985 lifted New Zealand's nine-year ban on exporting live sheep.

Through an interview with the Timaru Herald the protestors set the Society's views squarely on the front page... and when questioned in-depth in an interview with Radio Caroline they presented a comprehensive and impassioned case against the live shipments that was heard nationwide. Throughout their weeklong vigil at Timaru wharf-gates they saw no other animal rights group in evidence.

A brief extract from their report to the Society reads:-

"We felt guilty towards the sheep. In the very least the ship deserved a good protest. On arrival at Wellington I [Cottle] found I didn't have a job left because they had fired me. I didn't only lose my wages for the week - but my job too... we couldn't help thinking that if the next shipment doesn't have the proper protest - then the sheep don't stand a chance."

Whilst many New Zealanders were wringing their hands in the comfort of their homes these young men were at Timaru wharf-gates at dawn every morning in their lonely protest. They didn't stop the Merino Express but they set an example to every member of this Society - and the animal rights movement.