Independent commissioners will be urged to end rodeo at Auckland Council’s Warkworth Showgrounds next week during hearings for the Draft Rodney Local Parks Management Plan.
Stephanie Koks and Romina Marinkovich of Direct Animal Action will present to the commissioners, asking them to recommend to the council that the Warkworth Rodeo Club, and all rodeo events, no longer take place at the Warkworth Showgrounds or at any other council-owned land.
Rodney local Romina Marinkovich says she supports much of the council’s draft plan which will enhance living in Rodney and provide benefits to children, youth, families and individuals in an inclusive way.
“However, what I don’t support is the Rodney Local Board and the council’s parks management renewing the lease for the Warkworth Rodeo Club to hold their annual rodeo event at the Showgrounds.
“The landowner is required to be guided in their decision by the changing needs of the community, whether or not to allow certain activities on their land.”
Stephanie Koks says rodeo is losing its social license and that aspects of it have been proven to be illegal, going against the Animal Welfare Act 1999.
“The council and the local board must ask themselves, representing a progressive community - what will they allow to happen on their land, and what will they continue to celebrate as entertainment.
“Every year, young calves, bulls and horses are bullied, abused and killed by so-called cowboys, all for the entertainment of a minority. There’s no place for rodeo in modern New Zealand.
“We’ll be urging the commissioners to recommend that the Rodney Local Parks Management Plan accurately reflects the values of the board, the council and the community, by no longer making space for what is effectively animal abuse on council-owned land.
“We want to see the rodeo arena dismantled and replaced with a space that would accommodate family friendly activities like country fairs, farmers markets and zero-waste food festivals,” says Ms. Koks.
ENDS
What: Auckland Council Special Consultative Procedure – Draft Rodney Local Parks Management Plan Hearing – Hearing of Submissions
When: Monday 7 November, from 9:30am
Where: Council Chamber, Level 1, Orewa Service Centre, 50 Centreway Road, Orewa.
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