Advocate for your future
The NZVA is your voice
Stand with us to influence policy and advocate on matters relating to the veterinary profession. From animal welfare to emergency management, we’ve got your back on the issues you care about.
Make sure your voice is heard
It can be hard to make meaningful change on your own. That’s why belonging to your professional association is so powerful. When you combine your voice with thousands of other members, your voice is more likely to be heard by the people making decisions.
We’ve been advocating for members for more than 100 years, and we use this experience to drive positive change for the industry.
A cornerstone of the NZVA’s advocacy approach is acting in the role of ‘critical friend’ to policymakers, politicians, sector leaders and stakeholders. Wherever possible, we look for joint messages with other organisations to increase our collective impact.
Recent advocacy wins include:
- animal welfare being included in emergency management legislation
- regulation allowing approved allied veterinary professionals to perform subgingival dental procedures on cats and dogs
- improved regulations around prolonged tethering of dogs
- a streamlined process for employers hiring overseas veterinarians through the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
- increased awareness about antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
- and more!
Help us develop evidence-based position statements
We work closely with our members, committees, special interest branches, and Member Advisory Group (MAG) to develop public-facing position statements on key topics.
Our position statements are backed by science and outline agreed principles based on member feedback. They are a key part of our advocacy work, providing a platform from which we can advocate for you and educate the public.
