Every cat in a lap.
- VAWA
- Aug 4, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 23
Information & Education
With the support of our fabulous VAWA members, public facing education dossiers have been created. Have a read at the links below, or visit the NCMG's website for more.
A national cat group - how did it start?
Are cat conversations still that controversial and contentious or is it just that they are really emotive? Gareth Morgan is often, and justly, noted as being an inciting cause to a big and ongoing conversation on cats in Aotearoa. This led to the establishment of the National Cat Management Group in 2014.
While Gareth's comments had unintended and perverse outcomes including creating strongly divided positions and unacceptable killing of cats, most would agree that getting the conversation on the national agenda was and continues to be a good thing.
Progress, however, has been frustratingly slow, despite the formation of the NCMG and a strong united voice from not only the Group but also many others in Aotearoa New Zealand, including conservationists.
The work of the NCMG members and the united advocacy from many over the last decade has been strongly supported in the Environment Select Committee's report (July 2023) on cats. The recommendations are a great start in moving Aotearoa towards what's needed to keep cats and native species safe.
Eventually, stray cat management will need to be added so they are also responsibly managed. Once legislation is comprehensive and implemented, we can protect our native species and improve the overall welfare of cats.
In 2025, the NCMG gathered in the Grand Hall in Parliament and launched their brand new, very shiny and beautiful website. It is full of information about who the NCMG are and why we need a National Cat Act. There's lots of information for cat guardians too, and latest version of the National Cat Management Report.
VAWA's Advocacy
2025
The start of 2025 was really busy as we project managed the development of the NCMG's website, branding and report design, and attended the Parliamentary launch alongside the other members of the NCMG.
As we inch towards Predator Free 2050, there still remains a “cat-shaped hole” in the Predator Free strategy – this needs to be urgently addressed to make meaningful progress towards the goal It's disappointing that feral cats have been omitted from the 2025 draft strategy. VAWA submitted asking for their inclusion.
2024
VAWA spend a lot of hours working with Members of Parliament drafting a Members Bill for microchipping and desexing of companion cats. It's now in the Biscuit Tin wating to be drawn out and progressed.
June 2023
On their website, Predator Free NZ highlight the united position of many organisation about lots of key cat management things.
They have a great summary of some of the advocacy organisation's positions and presentations to the Environment Select Committee.
'...several animal welfare, conservation organisations and government agencies submitted their thoughts on national cat management. It may be surprising that there was a lot of agreement...'
Taken from Predator Free NZ's website
November 2022
VAWA presented at the NZVA Wildlife conference in Te Anau.
VAWA's opinion piece on cats "Saving our cats through a National Cat Act" was published and well received.
We discussed cats with Wallace Chapman on RNZ's The Panel (18'07").
September 2022
We put in a written submission and then spoke to the Environment Select Committee (from 10:35) and shared our views regarding Erica Rowlands' petition.
VAWA got a shout out in MP Eugenie Sage's post about the petition too!
We also had a quick chat to Rebecca on NewsHub Live At 8pm (from 7:20secs) - note attire with a <hat tilt> to Kilt.
August 2022
VAWA spoke to Backyard Trapping Wanaka's meeting (powerpoint; vimeo)
The ODT covered the latter in advance. We asked for a couple of corrections in the story:
Eg remove "feral" from two statements and change release to "return:"
“It included a trap, neuter and release strategy, which could help address feral and stray populations.”
“She said if stray or feral cats were caught and euthanised it would not help as cats were territorial and other colonies would fill the gap that was left.”
It's not appropriate to use managed targeted Trap Neuter Return (mtTNR) for feral cats; they are in the bush and they cannot and should not be managed using this tool.
NOTE:
feral cat - does not rely on human resource; seldom seen; bush cat
stray - (un)managed/(un)social; live in and around human habitation; includes colony cats
companion cats - in human guardianship.
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