Anti-rodeo protesters, Direct Animal Action, congratulate the Labour Government for taking the first step today to address rodeo animal welfare concerns.

“We’ve been protesting outside rodeos across New Zealand for the last several months and we’ve been really hopeful that our progressive new government would take positive steps towards ending rodeo,” says Direct Animal Action spokesperson Apollo Taito.

“So we’re really pleased to see that Associate Minister of Agriculture Meka Whaitiri has spoken out today about the Government’s intentions.

“The Associate Minister has singled out the worst aspects of rodeo, calf roping and flank straps, for further investigation. We’re really happy about this because we know it's the first step towards a full ban on rodeo in our country.
“With public outcry increasing all the time and sponsors dropping their support everyday, it's pretty obvious that rodeos days are numbered,” says Mr. Taito.