Companion Animals New Zealand (CANZ) is pleased to release its 2026 Political Manifesto, which has now been shared with major political parties ahead of the next parliamentary term.
The manifesto outlines the key areas we believe present the greatest opportunity to improve companion animal welfare in Aotearoa New Zealand. While not an exhaustive list of our work or policy positions, it focuses on priority issues where we believe meaningful progress can be made through collaboration with central government.
Key priority areas
The manifesto identifies the following areas for action:
National cat management legislation
Emergency management and preparedness for companion animals
Dog control
Companion animal welfare codes
Establishment of a national animal shelter register
Fireworks regulation and impacts on animals
Strengthening dog reunification and welfare systems
Greyhound rehoming and industry transition
These areas reflect both current welfare challenges and emerging opportunities to improve outcomes for companion animals, their owners, and communities across New Zealand.
CANZ’s role in supporting policy development
As a national animal welfare charity, CANZ is uniquely positioned to work alongside government as a strategic, evidence-based advisor on companion animal welfare.
As custodian of the New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR), we manage more than 1.5 million microchip records and support over 400,000 registered animal guardians. This provides us with a significant national dataset and insight into the lived experiences, expectations, and needs of pet owners across the country.
Our work is underpinned by research, sector collaboration, and the Five Domains Model of Animal Welfare, enabling us to provide practical, science-informed perspectives on what companion animals need to live good lives.
Supporting better outcomes through collaboration
CANZ welcomes the opportunity to work with Ministers, officials, and policymakers to provide independent advice that supports the development of effective, evidence-based legislation and policy.
We believe that strong collaboration between government, the animal welfare sector, and the wider community is essential to delivering meaningful improvements in companion animal welfare outcomes.
Supporting local government
CANZ also works closely with territorial authorities and is well placed to provide policy and technical advice on companion animal management at a local level. This includes supporting councils to develop practical, evidence-based approaches that balance animal welfare, community expectations, and regulatory requirements.
In the past 18 months, we have submitted on 16 local and regional bylaws in relation to companion animals. We have also submitted on 4 central government submissions in relation to emergency management, NZTA land transport rules, greyhound racing rehoming and pet statistics.
