The Animal Justice Party Aotearoa New Zealand (AJP) is
excited to announce two more candidates for the 2026 General
Election, bringing together people with backgrounds in
animal advocacy, education, community service, business and
the arts.
Lynley Tulloch will stand for AJP in
Takanini, while Sam Connely will contest Tauranga.
The
new candidates join Avalua Tavui in Manurewa, Rob McNeil in
Glendene, Sandra Kyle in Whanganui, and Brian Baker in
Palmerston North.
AJP co-leader Rob McNeil said the
expanding team reflected growing interest in giving animals
genuine representation in New Zealand
politics.
“We’re building a team of people who
have already spent years trying to make their communities
kinder and fairer. They’re not career politicians.
They’re people who care about animals, people and the
environment, and who have decided it’s time to bring those
values into politics.”
“Every new candidate also
gives more New Zealanders the opportunity to vote directly
for animal representation. We want the other parties to see
that there is a real and growing constituency of voters who
expect animals to be taken seriously.”
Lynley
Tulloch, Takanini
Dr Lynley Tulloch is an educator,
researcher, writer and long-time animal rights advocate. Her
teaching and research have focused on sustainability, social
justice, human-animal relationships and multispecies
wellbeing. She is also the founder of the Starfish Bobby
Calf Project, an animal advocacy and rescue initiative which
has worked for years to draw attention to the treatment of
calves in New Zealand’s dairy industry.
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Lynley
brings decades of experience in education and advocacy to
the campaign and believes political change is an essential
part of building a more compassionate relationship with
animals and the natural world.
Sam Connely,
Tauranga
Sam Connely has spent many years
volunteering with vulnerable people and animals, including
elderly companionship, Samaritans, homeless kitchens, animal
sanctuaries and Tauranga’s Turning Point Trust. Originally
from Cornwall, Sam came to New Zealand nearly 15 years ago
and is now a New Zealand citizen who has made his home in
Mount Maunganui.
After many years working in building,
Sam now runs ConsciousPathProject, helping people improve
their physical fitness and mental wellbeing, while studying
mental health and addiction support and volunteering in the
sector. He believes kindness towards both vulnerable people
and animals is a sign of a healthy and progressive
society.
“Animals are affected by political
decisions every day, but they never get a vote,” McNeil
said.
“That makes the choices made by the rest of us
particularly important. A strong vote for AJP tells every
party in Parliament that animal issues matter and that there
are votes to be won by taking them seriously.”
AJP
says further candidates are expected to be announced as the
campaign progresses.
Previously
announced
Avalua Tavui, Manurewa
Avalua Tavui
is a Manurewa resident and long-standing community advocate.
A local Rotary Club President, Avalua has worked for better
outcomes in her community and brings a strong commitment to
service, compassion and creating a better future for all New
Zealanders.
Rob McNeil, Glendene
A long-time
Westie and animal advocate, Rob McNeil co-founded AJP after
returning to New Zealand in 2022 following more than three
decades working overseas, primarily as a corporate
accountant in Canada. He combines financial and
organisational experience with a long-standing commitment to
animal advocacy and compassionate public policy. Rob
received almost 7,000 votes when he stood for Auckland Mayor
in 2025.
Sandra Kyle, Whanganui
Sandra Kyle is
a Whanganui music teacher, writer and long-time animal
advocate who has spent decades speaking, writing and
campaigning peacefully for animals. She is committed to
kindness, sustainability and justice for animals, people and
the planet, and to exploring compassionate ways to
strengthen her local community and economy.
Brian
Baker, Palmerston North
Brian Baker is a New Zealand
singer-songwriter and producer whose career has included
work in New Zealand and Australia. His commitment to animal
protection, environmental stewardship and compassion has
been shaped by a lifelong interest in music, nature and
Buddhist principles of non-harm.
About the Animal
Justice Party Aotearoa NZ
AJP was registered in
August 2023.
AJP is a political party dedicated to
advocating for the rights, welfare, and protection of
animals. Their mission is to create a society where animals
are treated with respect, compassion, and consideration.
Through active participation in the political landscape,
they aim to drive policy changes that reflect their
commitment to a more ethical and sustainable
future.
