Government says 'no' to calls for rodeo bansANDY JACKSON/STUFF Rodeos are favourite pass time in rural communities and the Government would not be looking to close them down. The announcement is a firm line in the sand following a number of calls from animal welfare group Safe to ban the sport. It is a requirement for veterinarian and an animal welfare officer to be present at every rodeo. Animal welfare group Safe campaigns director Mandy Carter has called rodeos the "bullying" of animals "for the fun of pseudo cowboys". However, New Zealand Rodeo and Cowboys Association spokesman Michael Laws has said rodeo sponsors had been bullied and harassed by animal activists.

Source: Stuff March 01, 2018 01:30 UTC