This month, we're sharing progress on our W.E. Bradshaw research grant, standing up for stronger protections for animals, and inviting you to help schools move away from animal use in science education.

If you know a teacher, student, or parent at a high school, you could play a key role in helping us end dissections in schools.

$50,000 Grant Advancing Animal-free Science in Aotearoa

Shortlisting Underway

We're excited to share that the W.E. Bradshaw University Innovation Grant has progressed to its shortlisting phase. The quality of proposals we have received this round has blown us away, and we are thrilled to see the potential for animal-free research to advance across New Zealand. It is clear this funding has the power to save countless animal lives.

This grant exists because of a generous bequest to NZAVS - a powerful example of how individual supporters can create lasting change.

The grant provides $50,000 to a New Zealand researcher or educator committed to replacing animal use with modern, human‑relevant methods.

You can find out more about the grant here: Our Grants Page

This year's shortlisted proposals reflect the kind of bold thinking the grant was created to inspire. Some of the projects received are:

• Neurological disease modelling: exploring cutting-edge research to study degenerative conditions without the use of animals
• Medical device research: developing in vitro approaches to replace large animal models in gastrointestinal research
• Cell culture media: investigating animal-free, plant-based alternatives to Foetal Bovine Serum, one of the most widely used substances in laboratory science
• University dissection replacement: Replacing animal dissection in tertiary education with humane, effective alternatives.

We look forward to announcing the grant recipient in June 2026.

Independent Commissioner for Animals

31,565 people are calling for change

NZAVS was proud to stand alongside members of the Commissioner for Animals Alliance on Tuesday 3 March as the Commissioner for Animals petition was officially handed over, backed by 31,565 people calling for stronger protections for animals in New Zealand.

Around half of all animal experiments in New Zealand are conducted to benefit the animal agriculture sector, yet the same system that promotes that sector is also responsible for overseeing animal welfare. This raises important questions about how experiments are justified and approved, especially when Animal Ethics Committees often include researchers who conduct animal experiments themselves.

An independent Commissioner for Animals would help ensure animal welfare decisions are made independently, transparently, and in the public interest.

We extend a huge thank you to everyone who signed, shared, and spoke up for the need for a commissioner, and to our fellow organisations in the Commissioner for Animals Alliance for standing together to push for change.

Public Pressure Changes Systems

A recent Humane World for Animals podcast is a standout episode, unpacking why over 90% of animal tests fail and examining how growing public scrutiny in Brazil has pushed industries away from animaltesting - including a cosmetics testing ban. The episode highlights how sustained public attention can drive real, systemic change.

LISTEN HERE

Looking Ahead

24 April: World Day for Laboratory Animals

As World Day for Laboratory Animals approaches, we'll be highlighting the realities of animal use in laboratories - alongside the growing availability of non‑animal methods (NAMs) already being used in science.

Our campaign will honour the animals affected while pointing toward a kinder, more effective future for research in Aotearoa.

Support NZAVS

Your Vote = Funding to End Animal Testing

MyGivingCircle

You can support NZAVS at no cost by voting for us on MyGivingCircle. Public votes help determine how charitable grants are awarded and every vote helps fund work to end harmful animal experimentation.

Thanks to our incredible community, NZAVS has won MyGivingCircle grants in the past - showing how small actions can add up to meaningful support.

VOTE FOR NZAVS

Make your donation go further

For every donation over $5, you can claim 33.33% back in tax credits - and may be eligible to claim donations from past years. Your support helps accelerate animal‑free science at no extra cost.

We're happy to help if you have any questions about claiming your tax credit or gifting it through IRD.

Kind Education

Helping schools move to animal-free science

Our Kind Education programme is on a mission to replace animal-based teaching in schools and universities across Aotearoa, and we need help reaching more of them.

Many teachers and educators are ready to move to animal-free science, but may not know where to start, or may not be aware that high-quality replacements already exist.

Through Kind Education, we support schools and universities to transition away from animal dissection and other animal-based teaching methods, replacing them with modern, reusable, and engaging alternatives - from anatomical models to virtual dissection tools.

Animal replacement methods can be used repeatedly, remove barriers for students who find animal use distressing, and reflect the direction that science education is heading internationally.

We're currently seeking schools who are interested in making the move to animal-free science. If you know of a school, teacher, or department head who might be open to the conversation with NZAVS, we would love your help sharing this opportunity.

Know a teacher or school? Email us at nzavs@nzavs.org.nz

Thank you for standing with animals

Thank you for being part of the NZAVS community and standing with us to end the harmful use of animals in science. Your engagement and support help strengthen our advocacy, education, and push for humane, scientifically valid alternatives across Aotearoa.

If you're able to support our work further, a donation today will help us continue advancing our ability to fund ethical alternatives and holding decision‑makers to account. Every contribution strengthens our ability to create lasting change for animals.

Donate‍

We look forward to sharing more updates with you next month.