Suzanne Elizebeth Carey
I knew Suz intimately, we developed a firery relationship during long nights sitting in her car outside homes of vivisectionists, factory farms and other assorted scum. I know she has personally saved countless lives and cost actual millions to the animal abuse industrial complex in New Zealand and UK. Her tireless work for the animals was never hindered by the 'pointless discussion' and petty squabbles that plagues political movements. Or as she would say, she would 'cut the crap'.

Although always displaying a quite and reserved front, her personality was actually strong and practical but loving once she let you in, and that was only reserved for those who were 'cool' in her eyes. And she would drop you if you ever disrespected that intimate trust. She always had a simplicity in her ideas that appealed to me and her results were always tangible.

She had a passion for vegan junk food, political punk, hip hop and ska. A fantastic sense of humor she was always making jokes that people not sharing our mind set would often find disturbing. She could always see the funny side even when were were sitting in the police cells and facing years in jail. One job she had was babysitting, she took care twin three years olds and while walking around KMart she would sometimes remark to the children "shut up or when we get home I'll lock you back in the cupboard" the twins laughed along with her while shocked mothers in earshot gave dirty looks. Suzy empathized with children and animals and had a way with them both. Her choice not to have children was a political one.

She worked but lived in debt and without any luxuries, including living at home for years because she was constantly pouring money into buying megaphone's, maintain her car, photocopying and tool kits and hoodies.

During the hardest times in my life Suzy supported me and shot down my detractors in times where I had become apathetic and disheartened. She helped me through serious depression and several times talked me away from suicide, I knew I could ring her late at night weather I had a car load of chickens or if I was feeling down and needed her to talk to. She was always perceptive when it came to other people, and if I had taken her advice I would've had a happier life with a few less crap people in it. She could always be relied upon to tell me to shut up or make me aware of being 'a drama queen'.

One funny story I can relate now about Suzy was how she got a small scar on her face. One night bricking shops in West Auckland a friend hiffed a large brick that bounced because it was aimed at the middle of the window rather than the edges and hit Suzy in the face. Seriously funny later but a little difficult to explain to A&E that night when she was bleeding badly.

If it wasn't for Suzy I wouldn't be Vegan, I wouldn't have got out of bed to do stalls and I wouldn't be a direct actionist in fact I might not even be here. I know you didn't have a concept of a higher power Suzy, you and I talked about this over chips and chocolate many times late at night. Because what sort of god would create hell on earth for earths most gentle creatures? But your karmic points or 'vegan points' were off the scale, you would be in a better place or reincarnated as a higher being. Of course thats bullshit and you want better for the animals now on earth. So I hope people take your life as example of how to live and as you would have said "shut up and start smashing shit."

My love to AAA, Sandra, Mum and the Family.