From left, owner of Crumpet the Rabbit Greta-Mae McDowell, Green Party MP Mojo Mathers and #BeCrueltyFree campaigner Tara Jackson. Photo: Unknown
MPs have unanimously supported a ban on animal testing in New Zealand for finished cosmetic products and their ingredients.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy added the change to the Animal Welfare Bill currently before Parliament.
He said he did so after agreeing with the Green Party that the ban was a good idea.
"Bearing in mind there has been no animal testing of cosmetics or finish products here in New Zealand, that's what the official advice says.
"But we know this is a very important issue for New Zealanders."
Green MP Mojo Mathers, who has campaigned for the ban, said the Government would not have done it without the pressure applied by her and other campaigners.
Mathers said it was fantastic that New Zealand would be able to say that it had banned a cruel and outdated practice.
The bill as a whole still has to pass its third and final reading.
A version of this story first appeared on radionz.co.nz.