Rodeo season is set to get underway this weekend despite attempts to end the shows.
Animal rights group claim rodeos are "unethical and inherently cruel".
The National spokesman for the New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Associations Michael Laws says the rodeos are just a form of family entertainment and aren't cruel to the animals involved.
Speaking to TVNZ1's Breakfast programme this morning, Mr Laws says there are strict laws around how the animals are treated and vets have oversight of the rodeos to make sure the animals are being looked after.
He says the Ministry of Primary Industry makes sure every show is abiding to the rules as well.
"The last thing we want to do is show anything that is distressing or mistreating the animals.
"We're very satisfied that animals are well protected and well regarded."
But animal rights group SAFE claims animals are being wrestled, roped and chased in aggressive displays during the rodeos causing them to become stressed and frightened and in some cases causing serious injury.
Mr Laws disputes these claims saying animal right groups are posing the rodeos in a bad light.
He says any abuse at a rodeo is strongly "condemned" by the New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association and they do all they can to prevent abuse from occurring.
"If we mistreat those animals we aren't having a good time."
A petition signed by 63,000 Kiwis calling for the end to rodeos was rejected by Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy because a new code of welfare had been put in place.
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