The Animal Justice Party says its call to ban duck shooting is gaining momentum, as more New Zealanders begin to question activities that harm animals. Spokesperson Danette Wereta says there is a growing shift in public thinking, with people increasingly challenging practices that involve unnecessary harm to sentient animals.

“People are starting to look more closely at these minority activities and ask why we are still accepting them,” she says.

“Shooting sentient animals out of the sky for enjoyment is not ok, no matter how it is dressed up.”

Duck shooting is often defended as tradition or conservation, but Wereta says those justifications do not stand up to scrutiny. “This is not about 1080 versus shooting. It is about moving away from a model that relies on killing altogether and putting resources into better solutions.”

She says where ducks impact crops or water, those are management issues that should be addressed through non-lethal, evidence-based approaches. “Overseas we are already seeing multi-layered deterrent systems using UAVs, drones, lasers, and habitat design. These approaches work to prevent conflict rather than perpetuate it.”

Wereta also pointed to the role of land use and habitat loss as the real drivers of biodiversity issues. “If we genuinely cared about biodiversity, we would be addressing those root causes, not shooting ducks.”

She said organisations such as Fish and Game, which promote hunting while also claiming to support wetland restoration, are fundamentally conflicted. “You cannot claim to protect wildlife while building a system that relies on killing it.”

Wereta says the issue also reflects a broader concern about how violence is normalised in society. “The response to speaking out on this has been telling. I have received aggressive and violent harassment simply for saying that killing animals for fun is wrong. That is what normalising violence looks like.”

She also criticised comments made by James Meager following the opening weekend, where he said: “The only shot I took in the weekend was a shot across the bow to potential protesters and agitators, like we had up at Ellesmere last year. No one wants to see what is otherwise a relatively peaceful, lawful activity, which is the tradition of duck shooting.”

Wereta says those comments are very concerning.

“Firstly, there is nothing peaceful about shooting animals out of the sky, wounding them, and killing them. Ducks fall injured into the water, are retrieved in a dog’s mouth, and have their necks snapped. That is not peaceful.”

“And secondly, protesting is peaceful and legal. It is concerning to hear language like that from someone in a position of leadership.”

“James represents a party that positions itself as tough on gun crime, yet here he is using language that implies taking a shot at protesters, even if figuratively, while promoting an activity centred on gun use and killing. That kind of rhetoric matters and should be called out.”

Wereta says the behaviour she experiences from some hunters reflects that same culture. “This is the same group that targets and harasses those who speak up. It reinforces the point that when violence is normalised, it extends beyond animals.”

The Animal Justice Party is calling for a ban on duck shooting and increased investment in humane, science-led alternatives. It is already banned in parts of Australia, including Western Australia, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory. A petition is available on their website for those who want to see this end.

About the Animal Justice Party Aotearoa NZ

AJP was registered in August 2023.

AJP is a political party dedicated to advocating for the rights, welfare, and protection of animals. Their mission is to create a society where animals are treated with respect, compassion, and consideration. Through active participation in the political landscape, they aim to drive policy changes that reflect their commitment to a more ethical and sustainable future.

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