We’re currently in World Week for Animals in Labs 2026, and we have timely and great news to share for animals...

A second university in New Zealand has now made a public statement against the use of the Forced Swim Test (also known as the Porsolt Swim Test), a widely criticised and scientifically outdated animal test.

Victoria University of Wellington has proudly published the following statement on its website:

“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.”

This public statement reinforces a clear and growing message: The Forced Swim Test does not have a place in modern, ethical, and innovative science.

The kind of leadership Aotearoa can be proud of

At BAR, we’ve been engaging constructively with Victoria University and other universities across Aotearoa to support this significant change for animals, and it’s working.  

In August 2025, the University of Waikato was the first NZ university to make a public statement against the Forced Swim Test. Today, Victoria University of Wellington has made a similar statement. We thank the university for making this strong, public stance.

And the good news, for animals, doesn’t stop there...

Another prominent NZ university has committed to make a similar statement, against the FST, and we can’t wait to share that with you soon!  

These wins show that collaboration, which is at the heart of our work at BAR, can lead to lasting change for both animals and science.

From quiet decline to clear rejection

In 2025, BAR confirmed through Official Information Act requests that no New Zealand university had recently used or approved the FST since 01 January 2023.

At least four NZ universities had historically used or approved this test (including Victoria University of Wellington) making its disappearance from use a powerful shift.

What we’re seeing now is not just a decline in use, but a clear and public rejection.

Each new statement made by a university against the FST makes it increasingly difficult for the FST to be used, both here in New Zealand and beyond.

Why this rejection of the FST matters

The FST has long been criticised for both ethical and scientific reasons.

Animals, usually mice or rats, are placed in a container of water with no escape and forced to swim until they stop struggling and float. The test has been used to try and model human depression, despite significant evidence that it does not reliably translate to human outcomes.

What comes next

BAR will continue engaging with the remaining universities to encourage them to make similar public commitments.

A unified stance across all institutions would send a powerful signal: that there is no place for the Forced Swim Test in Aotearoa New Zealand, now or in the future.

A shared achievement

This progress would not be possible without:

• The willingness of universities to engage openly
• The guidance of the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) who released their own statement against the FST several years ago (last reviewed in 2021)
• The ongoing support of you

Together, we are helping to drive real and lasting change for animals and science.

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What is the Forced Swim Test: An animal test using rodents, usually mice or rats, who are placed in a transparent cylinder filled with water, with no way to escape or stand to rest. They are forced to swim until they give up and float. It has been used to try model human depression or despair, despite significant scientific and ethical concerns.