Criminal charges have been filed against a rodeo cowboy in relation to the use of an electric shocker on calves and cattle.
The New Zealand Animal Law Association says the charges relate to the use of an electric shocker on calves and cattle at Northland rodeo events.
The events, captured in footage broadcast on RNZ's Checkpoint, were last year by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
It decided not to prosecute and issued a warning instead.
A spokesperson for the animal law association says it's brought a private prosecution for what it sees is an individual breaching the rodeo's own rules.
The association believes disciplinary action should have been taken by the Rodeo Cowboys Association against the defendant.
It will be up to a judge to decide if the charges can be heard by a court.