New Zealand Veterinary Association Explained

New Zealand Veterinary Association
Formation:	1923
Abbreviation:	NZAS
Headquarters:	Wellington
Leader Title:	President
Leader Name:	Kate Hill
Website:	https://nzva.org.nz/

The New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA), formerly the New Zealand Veterinary Association, is a professional organisation in New Zealand.

The association was established in 1923 to "assist in the development of the profession, including the registration of veterinarians, making submissions to Parliament and other bodies, negotiating conditions of employment and to advocate veterinary training in New Zealand".^{[1] [2]} In 2023, the organisation's stated purpose is "To build exceptional working lives as veterinary professionals by providing support, resources and advocacy."

As of 2023, the elected President is Kate Hill.^{[3] [4]} On 29 May 2023, the organisation announced that it would use the Māori term Maori: Te Pae Kīrehe in addition to its English name in order to be more inclusive. The translation was provided by Rawinia Higgins, Chair of the Māori Language Commission (Maori: Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori).^[5]

Activities

The NZAS has fifteen regional networks throughout New Zealand and twelve special interest branches.^[6] It hosts several annual conferences, meetings and events for members.^[7]

The NZAS publishes the New Zealand Veterinary Journal, as well as the magazine VetScript and SciQuest, an e-library of Australian and New Zealand veterinary publications.^[8]

Awards

The NZAS gives out a number of awards, including:^[9]

• Outstanding Service Award (established 2002) to recognise "individuals who deserve special recognition for service on behalf of the New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA)".
• President's Award, which "recognises meritorious service to the veterinary profession in the broadest sense".
• Honorary Life Membership, which "recognises individuals whose contribution to the New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) has been of an exceptional nature".
• Veterinary Impact Award, established in 2017, for "an individual who has made a considerable positive impact for the veterinary profession, animal health or welfare, or public health during the past two years. Such impact could have been made through any field of veterinary endeavour, for example clinical practice, research, education, or veterinary politics."
• Young Veterinarian Award, established in 2017, for individuals up to the age of 35 "who have shown outstanding veterinary, communication and leadership skills since graduating as a veterinarian".

Honorary life members

Honorary life members include Jack Filmer, Geoff Moon, Cyril Hopkirk, Bill Manktelow, Neil Bruère, and Jenny Weston.^[10]

Notes and References

1. Web site: About us . 2023-12-14 . New Zealand Veterinary Association . en-US.
2. Web site: Alexander Turnbull Library . ATL: Unpublished Collections . 2023-12-14 . tiaki.natlib.govt.nz.
3. Web site: Our people . 2023-12-14 . New Zealand Veterinary Association . en-US.
4. Web site: Massey University, New Zealand . Associate Professor Kate Hill - Director, Master of Veterinary Medicine (MVM) Programme - Massey University . 2023-12-14 . www.massey.ac.nz . en-NZ.
5. Web site: Introducing Te Pae Kīrehe . New Zealand Veterinary Association . 29 May 2023 . 28 May 2024.
6. Web site: Branches . 2023-12-14 . New Zealand Veterinary Association . en-US.
7. Web site: Conferences . 2023-12-14 . New Zealand Veterinary Association . en-US.
8. Web site: Publications . 2023-12-14 . New Zealand Veterinary Association . en-US.
9. Web site: Awards . 2023-12-14 . New Zealand Veterinary Association . en-US.
10. Web site: Massey University, New Zealand . Prof Jenny Weston - Dean of Veterinary Education - Massey University . 2023-12-14 . www.massey.ac.nz . en-NZ.