Each year, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) releases New Zealand's official statistics on the use of animals in research, testing and teaching (RTT).

These figures are important. They help us understand how animals are being used across Aotearoa’s science sector and provide an opportunity to reflect on where we've made progress, where challenges remain, and where we need to go next.

The 2025 statistics show that 274,985 animals were used in research, testing and teaching across New Zealand that year.  

At first glance, this appears to be a significant decrease from 2024, when more than 600,000 animals were reported as used. Before we celebrate, it's important to remember that annual figures need to be interpreted carefully.

Animals involved in long-term projects are often only counted when a project finishes, meaning annual totals can fluctuate considerably from year to year. For this reason, MPI recommends looking at the three-year rolling average rather than focusing on a single year's total.

For the 2023–2025 reporting period, the three-year rolling average was 397,975 animals used each year.

2024 at a glance: Key statistics

• Total animals used: 274,985 ‍
• Animals killed during or for research, testing and teaching: 99,711 ‍
• Bred and killed as excess: 81,332 ‍
• Total animals that lost their lives because of the research, testing and teaching system: 181,043

The standout statistic

One figure deserves particular attention.

Of the 181,043 animals that lost their lives in 2025, 81,332 were never used in any scientific procedure.

These animals were bred with the intention of being used in research, testing or teaching, but were ultimately deemed surplus to requirements and killed as "excess" animals.

In other words, almost half of all animals that lost their lives in New Zealand's research, testing and teaching system in 2025 were never actually used.

This represents an enormous waste of sentient lives and highlights one of the ethical challenges that receives far less public attention than the headline animal use figures.

Which animals were used most?

The five most commonly used species in 2025 were:

1. Cattle: 69,579 ‍
2. Sheep: 58,016
3. ‍Fish: 56,506
4. ‍Mice: 45,553
5. ‍Fowls, Chickens: 10,730

While many people associate animal research with mice, New Zealand's figures continue to show that animals who are farmed, such as cattle and sheep make up a significant proportion of total animal use.

Which animals were most commonly killed?

The species most commonly killed during or for research, testing and teaching were:

1. Mice: 43,334
2. ‍Fish: 34,302
3. ‍Fowls, Chickens: 9,227
4. ‍Rats: 6,270
5. ‍Sheep: 1,897

What species were used - and killed - for science?

How were animals used in science?

Where were animals used?

Where did the animals come from?

So, where to from here?

The 2025 statistics show that New Zealand continues to harm animals in research, testing and teaching, even as new technologies, human-relevant methods and international scientific progress point towards a better way forward. Whilst other countries deliver roadmaps to phase out animal use in research, testing and teaching, NZ is being left behind and fast.

The tools to transition exist. The alternatives are improving. The science is evolving.

What we need now, therefore, is to remove age-old barriers across institutions, regulators, and government - to accelerate the shift.

At BAR, we believe that real progress comes from trust, collaboration, and transparency. The time for working in isolation and in our opposing ideological corners is over. Scientists, advocates, policymakers, and communities must work together to create a science system that is both ethical and effective.

As a united Science Alliance for Animals BAR can move Aotearoa beyond harmful animal research and toward a future where scientific innovation doesn’t involve animal suffering.

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Together, we can transform the future of science in New Zealand.