Toyota New Zealand has stopped screening a TV advertisement in which animals look forward to their deaths at the hands of hunters if it means they can ride on the back of a Hilux.

The company faced backlash on social media following the commercial.

Toyota New Zealand managing director and chief executive officer Alistair Davis says the decision to cut the ad reflects feedback from members of the public that it had "unintentionally offended", and Toyota "apologises unreservedly for any offence caused."