A legal challenge against rodeos has been dismissed in the High Court at Wellington.
About 35 rodeo events are held in New Zealand a year. Photo: RNZ / Paloma Migone
The court declined to make a ruling on the legality of rodeo and the judicial review sought by the New Zealand Animal Law Association and SAFE and instead referred it to the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee.
Animal advocate groups said they were disappointed and the ruling amounts to a passing of the ball.
However, SAFE chief executive Debra Ashton said they respect the decision but will not give up.
"We think it [rodeos] doesn't align with the Animal Welfare Act, and it is especially the unnecessary pain and distress that animals are having to undergo for rodeo activity."
Ashton said the next move was to consult with the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee on a code of welfare.
"We are going to be very keen to see what can possibly go into a code of welfare that would actually align with the Animal Welfare Act."
Ashton said animals should not be put into a situation of distress for entertainment and the practice of rodeo must be banned.
She found it difficult to believe any welfare code would prevent animals from being treated cruelly.
The New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association said the High Court decision was a good outcome for the future of all equestrian sports.
President Lyal Cocks said they fully comply with the Animal Welfare Act.
"We are happy with the outcome, but we are not happy with the action taken..."
Cocks said the legal action had been at best frivolous and at worst a publicity stunt.
"It was a fools errand, and regrettably it [was] at the taxpayers expense."
Protesters outside a Warkworth rodeo in 2018. Photo: Supplied
Rodeo was the most scrutinised sport for animal abuse, but had not been found to be in breach by the Ministry for primary Industries for the past two seasons.
Cocks said claims that thousands of animals were abused at rodeos each year were ludicrous.
"There have been no reports of abuse or any pain or distress."
Lawyers for the Animal Law Association argued proper process was not followed in adopting a 2018 rodeo-specific animal welfare code, and that rodeo under that code was in violation of the Animal Welfare Act.
The Code of Welfare (Rodeos) was set up in 2014 by the Ministry for Primary Industry, then updated in 2018.
Justice Churchman found errors and procedural defects in the government's process, but said the proper place to challenge the legality of rodeo would be during a consultation process run by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee.
About 35 rodeos are held each year in New Zealand, with animals integral to events such as bull riding, calf roping and steer wrestling.