Published on 17 February 2025.

We are aware of two instances of individuals or groups impersonating the NZVA Te Pae Kīrehe recently. This is a good reminder to remain vigilant about potential scams, and to contact us directly if you receive calls, emails or messages that seem suspicious or concerning.

Phone scam

At least one member has been receiving phone calls from someone claiming to be from the NZVA. The caller identified themselves as Harry and did not provide a reason for their call. When the call was returned, the number did not connect.

We do not believe this contact is a result of any sort of data breach.

Please be vigilant about any calls from people claiming to be from the NZVA, particularly if you were not expecting a call from us. NZVA staff will always identify themselves and provide a reason for calling. If you receive a phone call that seems off, please hang up and phone the NZVA office directly on +64 4 471 0484.

You can find a list of current NZVA staff on our website.

NZ Telecommunications Forum Inc (TCF) has some useful information to help you recognise phone and SMS scams on its website.

Fake Facebook profile

A profile impersonating the NZVA has surfaced on Facebook in recent weeks. The profile uses the handle @thenewzealandveterinaryassociation and has reposted several pieces of content from our official Facebook page.

If you receive a friend request or any messages from this page, please report them to Meta immediately. The more people who report the page, the more likely it is to be taken down.

To keep up with our updates on Facebook, please like and follow our official page (@nzvavets).

Here are some tips for identifying fake NZVA profiles online: 

• Check the profile picture: The NZVA uses our logo or coat of arms for official accounts. In the profile linked above, the use of an old Equine Veterinarians Branch logo is a dead giveaway.
• Check the Intro or About section: NZVA accounts will provide a short summary of what we do and who we represent.
• Check the header image: Our header images will usually focus on an upcoming event or campaign, such as the NZVA Conference or membership drive. They will be formatted to fit the current dimensions of the social media platform.
• Look at the recent posts: We provide timely updates using relevant images. If you see a post with multiple images that don't appear to relate to the content, this warrants further investigation.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us on nzva@vets.org.nz or 04 471 0484.