Rallies against a new law allowing legal highs to be tested on animals will be held around the country today.
The marches are protesting against the Psychoactive Substances Act, passed this month, which restricts the sale of legal highs but also allows new substances to be tested on animals if necessary.
The protests kick off from noon today in centres including Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
In Auckland, protesters will march from the bottom of Queen St, while in Wellington, protesters will march from Cuba St to the steps of Parliament.
Auckland protest co-ordinator Angela Beer said people were angry because the law was inhumane and ineffective.
"We cannot understand why the Government voted this way. New Zealand is known for its clean green image, however this ruling completely contradicts overseas guidelines that show the testing of recreational drugs on animals to be unethical and unnecessary."
The law passed with overwhelming cross-party support, with 119 MPs in favour.
Only Act leader John Banks voted against the law after moves by himself and the Greens to introduce greater controls on animal testing were voted down.
