About us
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About us
The New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) is the only membership association representing New Zealand veterinarians. We're proud to have served and supported our members since 1923.
We are committed to safeguarding the high skills, continuing development and ethical standards of the New Zealand veterinary profession, helping veterinarians be better recognised and valued for the unique role they play in society.
Our purpose
To build exceptional working lives as veterinary professionals by providing support, resources and advocacy.
We are committed to safeguarding the high skills, continuing development and ethical standards of the New Zealand veterinary profession, and to helping veterinarians be better recognised and valued for the unique role they play in society.
Our vision
A vibrant and diverse veterinary profession key to the health and wellbeing of animals, and their relationship to people and our environment.
The NZVA endorses the broad concept of One Health, which recognises that the health and wellbeing of animals, people and the environment are inseparably connected. We also acknowledge the important role veterinarians play in the One Health discussion.
Our core values
We are inclusive, deliver high standards, and promote collegiality, taking time to enjoy each other’s company.
We are first and foremost here for our members.
Guided by our shared vision and values, agreed purpose and common goals, our collective leadership contributes to a highly trusted, valued and progressive veterinary profession.
Our governing body integrates independent input and strong representation from our Special Interest Branches (SIBs) and Regional Networks to set our priorities and drive policy, standards and decision-making.
We facilitate clear career pathways and high-quality continuing professional development (CPD), so our members can have healthy careers and lives, and our profession can be the best it can be.
We listen to each other and cooperate widely to understand and influence the critical issues facing the veterinary profession and the wider industry.
Our member priorities
Our 2022-23 member priorities, as agreed by the Member Advisory Group (MAG) and the NZVA Board.
- Workforce sustainability: Acute workforce shortage, long term recruitment and retention
- Functional and collegial NZVA including effective communications (internal and external), Branches and Networks
- Workforce remuneration and business performance
- Support and engagement for new and recent graduates/returnees
- Member wellbeing and fulfilment: pastoral care
- One Health and environmental sustainability
- Product stewardship: Restricted veterinary medicines (RVMs), antimicrobial resistance (AMR), drench resistance
- Animal health and wellbeing advocacy
- Public confidence and reputation of veterinarians
- Education and events including opportunities for non-clinical veterinarians
Our strategy
- Sustainability: This means sustainability of the veterinary workforce, veterinary businesses and veterinary careers, and making sure the NZVA endures.
- Relevance: This means focusing on connectivity and supporting our members. We want to facilitate collaboration through the profession and make sure the NZVA is adaptable to the needs of members.
- Advocacy: This means advocating for and with members. This could be inside the profession, with Government and other external stakeholders, and with the public.
The NZVA represents the profession on:
- The Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Industry Liaison Group
- Advisory Committee on Registration of Veterinary Specialists (ACRVS)
- Agricultural and Veterinary Medicines Advisory Council
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare Consultative Committee
- Animal Ethics Committees (numerous)
- Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC)
- Australia and New Zealand Council for Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART)
- Commonwealth Veterinary Association (CVA)
- Companion Animal Health Foundation Trust (CAHF)
- Farm to Processor Animal Welfare Forum
- Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations (FAVA)
- International Leptospirosis Society
- Kaimanawa Horse Working Party
- Landcare Research
- Ministry of Health, Antibiotic Advisory Group
- MPI Antimicrobial Resistance Coordination Group
- National Adverse Events Committee
- National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC)
- National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee
- National Animal Welfare Emergency Management Group
- National Mastitis Advisory Committee
- National Velvetting Standards Body (NVSB)
- New Zealand Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan Group
- New Zealand Companion Animal Council (NZCAC)
- New Zealand Equine Health Association
- RNZSPCA Animal Welfare Committee
- Royal Society of New Zealand Biological and Life Sciences Vice Presidents Advisory Panel
- South Canterbury SPCA Inc
- Standards New Zealand NZ ISO/TC34 Food Products International Group
- Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ) Professional Standards Committee
- Veterinary Schools Accreditation Advisory Committee (VSAAC)
- World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA)
- Wormwise Implementation Group (WIG)
- World Veterinary Association AMR Working Group
