Animal ethics

Animal ethics approval is required at Victoria University of Wellington for all research and teaching conducted with animals.

The University's Code of Ethical Conduct for the Use of Animals for Research, Teaching and Testing is approved by the Ministry for Primary Industries. Research involving animal subjects requires approval in advance through the Animal Ethics Committee (AEC). Animal ethics applications must be completed online in Hōkai.

Victoria University of Wellington requires all researchers to consider the 3Rs:

• Reduction—how the number of animals can be reduced to the minimum necessary.
• Refinement—how methods can be refined to minimise impact and enhance animal welfare.
• Replacement—how they can use alternatives wherever possible.

Research staff are required to understand and apply the Animal Welfare Act (1999) prior to their ethics applications.

The Animal Ethics Committee is committed to ensuring research and teaching involving animals is conducted with appropriate procedures. These procedures are consistent with current scientific best practice as informed by peer-reviewed evidence and guidance from national advisory bodies.

We recognise that scientific understanding evolves, and with it, the appropriateness of certain methodologies. Procedures that are no longer considered valid (such as the use of the Porsolt Swim Test for depression research) or relevant within the context of contemporary research will not be approved for use.

Hōkai, the ethics management system

View the Hōkai Quick Guide or the Nuku course for a step-by-step guide to using the system.

University staff and postgraduate thesis students can access Hōkai using University Single Sign On. If you have not previously accessed Hōkai for ethics, you will be asked to register your account.

If you do not have a University Staff account you will need to request access. Visit Hōkai ethics management for more information.

Go to Hōkai here.

Committee membership

The AEC is made up of staff from the University, nominated public lay members, nominated and appointed veterinarians, an animal welfare representative from the SPCA, and a student representative.

Committee members are appointed to ensure welfare, scientific, academic and regulatory standards are met in line with the Animal Welfare Act.

Openness agreement

The University was an inaugural signatory to the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching’s Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in New Zealand.

Read our statement on use of animals in research and teaching.