The group is launching a petition today that calls on the government to start prioritising non-animal-based research methods and replacing the use of animals in science. 

It is part of their Striking at the Source campaign, which seeks to address the fundamental drivers of harmful animal experiments. 

NZAVS Executive Director Tara Jackson says this is a campaign with enormous scope. 

"This campaign is all about long-term thinking. By changing some of the rules now, we could make huge changes over coming years for animals suffering in labs," she says. 

The group's plan is simple: replace animals with 21st century technologies, getting relevant results and saving animals in the process. 

"Other species aren't an effective model for humans. Moving away from that outdated model and transitioning to newer, effective technologies is well overdue. We need to take action to speed this process up," says Ms Jackson.