The alleged ill-treatment of bobby calves has shocked both sides of the political spectrum, as the Government says it has been looking into the issue since September.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is investigating footage given to them by animal rights groups SAFE and Farmwatch.
Deputy Director General of Regulation and Assurance Scott Gallacher says the behaviour filmed by the groups is "unacceptable".
"Anybody seeing this type of abuse would be appalled. We share that view," he says.
Farmwatch handed over "extensive footage" to MPI on September 14 where animal welfare officers reviewed the footage and immediately began an investigation.
It includes calves being taken from their mothers, being left in the sun for hours and being bludgeoned to death.
Bobby calves are less than 30 days old and are taken from their mothers so the mother can be milked and are surplus to dairy industry requirements.
Mr Gallacher says there needs to be a "robust" case before they take any enforcement action, and would not comment on the specifics of the investigations.
The footage has shocked those across the political spectrum, including the Green Party and acting Prime Minister Bill English.
Mr English says the behaviour "should be stopped".
"The industry will be embarrassed about it, I don't think there's any doubt about that because it casts a bit of a shadow over everybody," he said on the Paul Henry programme this morning.
"It's very important for our international brand. The rules here are tougher; we've put more into it in recent years because we simply have to reach high standards." Greens animal welfare spokeswoman Mojo Mathers says the Government needs to look at how it is enforcing animal standards and how similar incidents can be prevented.
"Dairying is one of the most important industries for New Zealand’s economy – New Zealanders trust MPI to make sure our animals are treated humanely and our international reputation is protected.
"People around the world who we rely on to buy our milk and meat are going to be revolted by the way we treat our animals in New Zealand," she says.
If Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and the ministry can't fix the problem, Ms Mathers believes an independent body overseeing animal welfare needs to be set up. MPI says it gets around 700 animal welfare complaints a year, investigates all of them and takes action where offending has occurred.
Last year, the Government made it illegal for farmers to kill calves by using blunt force apart from in unforeseen emergencies.
Anyone with information about the ill-treatment of animals should contact MPI on 0800 00 83 33.
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