National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC)

This committee has been established under the Animal Welfare Act to provide independent advice to the Minister of Agriculture on.

The committee plays an important role in the development and establishment of codes of welfare and produces various information materials including a booklet on how to write codes: Guidelines for Writing Codes of Welfare Link to PDF document (427 KB).

A full list of NAWAC’s functions can be found under section 57 (offsite link to www.legislation.govt.nz) of the Animal Welfare Act 1999.

From time to time NAWAC publishes guidelines which set out the principles and procedures by which it operates. These guidelines are not intended as a legal interpretation of the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and are updated in light of experience gained by NAWAC during its deliberations.

NAWAC is an invited observer of the European Forum of Animal Welfare Councils (EuroFAWC). EuroFAWC (offsite link to www.eurofawc.com) aims to promote sound scientific and ethical advice about animal welfare. It provides a platform for debate, for sharing information and views , and a network for members of the Animal Welfare Councils throughout Europe.

In addition, NAWAC produces an annual report and these can be found at: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/regs/animal-welfare/nawac/annual-reports.

Who belongs to the Committee?

Most members of NAWAC are nominated by relevant organisations but chosen on the basis of their expertise. They do not represent the nominating organisation on the committee.

The Minister of Agriculture appoints each member, and the committee comprises:

There is a range of skills needed to be a member of NAWAC and knowledge and experience is needed in:

  • veterinary science;
  • agricultural science;
  • animal science;
  • commercial use of animals;
  • care, breeding and management of companion animals;
  • ethical standards and conduct in respect of animals;
  • animal welfare advocacy;
  • public interest in respect of animals;
  • environmental and conservation management;
  • any other area that the Minister considers relevant.

The committee's current membership is as follows:

  • Dr Kathryn B Bicknell BSc, PhD, Senior Lecturer in Economics, Lincoln University (independent appointment)
  • Ms Susan (Sue) E Brown CA, BBS, Chartered Accountant (nominated by the Ministry of Women's Affairs)
  • Mr Hilton E Collier BAgSc. farm business consultant (nominated by Te Puni Kokiri)
  • Dr Penelope M Fisher BSc, MApplSc, PhD, Wildlife Toxicologist & Research Leader, Landcare Research NZ Ltd (nominated by Landcare Research NZ Ltd)
  • Dr John S Hellström ONZM, BVSc PhD, Director Biosecurity Ltd (independent chairperson)
  • Dr Barbara R Nicholas BSc, BD, Dip Tch, PhD, ethicist (independent appointment)
  • Mr Donald O Nicolson Farmer, National President Federated Farmers (nominated by Federated Farmers of New Zealand)
  • Dr Karen M Phillips BBVSc MACVSc, veterinarian (nominated by the New Zealand Veterinary Association)
  • Mrs Jenifer M Prattley Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals National Vice President (nominated by the RNZSPCA)
  • Dr David R Scobie BAgSc (Hons), PhD, scientist (nominated by the New Zealand Society of Animal Production)
  • Dr Virginia M Williams BVSc, MACVSc, DipProfEthics, (chairperson of the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee).

Operational research

MAF is responsible for providing the Minister of Agriculture, Minister for Rural Affairs, Minister of Forestry and Minister for Biosecurity with policy advice on a wide range of issues.

A function of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) is to recommend areas where research into the welfare of animals is required.

Sound policy advice requires robust data. Where there is a lack of suitable information MAF may seek to contract a research group to provide it. This type of research – to develop and implement policy – is known as “operational research”.

Page last updated: 7 November 2011