Stop Mainland Poultry

In 2018, we worked collaboratively with a rural community from the small South Auckland community of Orini to resist Mainland Poultry’s plans to build a mega farm confining 800,000 egg laying hens in a new intensive system called ‘multi-tiered aviaries’.

At that time, multi-tiered aviary systems hadn't been established in Aotearoa New Zealand and hadn’t been properly considered by our animal welfare regulators. 

Multi-tiered aviary systems are highly problematic for a number of reasons. Rather than just having hens free-roaming on the building floor, multiple tiers stacked from floor to ceiling allow for a vastly increased stocking density. While technically “cage-free”, these systems are just another way to factory farm animals for cheap food production.

In addition, overseas research shows increased death rates and cannibalism amongst hens in multi-tiered aviary systems, along with increased instances of broken bones and reduced air quality resulting from a large moving flock.

We were also highly concerned for the Orini community who didn’t want a huge, smelly, factory farm in the midst of their idyllic, valley community. We wanted to stop Mainland Poultry from steam-rolling over this small community.

Alongside the Orini locals, we called for Waikato District Council to deny consent for Mainland Poultry to build. We presented a 35,000 strong petition to the council in opposition to the mega farm, ran peaceful protests outside the council building and investigated a smaller scale Mainland Poultry multi-tiered aviary farm to expose the conditions. 

The case ended up in front of the Environment Court after the council railroaded through approval of the consent. Unfortunately, the Orini locals leading the Environment Court action needed to withdraw for personal reasons, leaving Mainland Poultry free to build their mega farm. It was built the following year. 

However, we consider our joint campaign with the Orini locals a success in many ways, as it garnered a large amount of media coverage, raising awareness of, and starting a national conversation about this new method of factory farming for cheap eggs.

In 2023, we were devastated at the news that a fire had broken out at the Orini mega farm, killing 50,000 hens. Our spokesperson, Deirdre Sims, was interviewed by Newshub here: Fire at egg laying farm in Waikato kills 50,000 hens | Newshub