Racing Minister Winston Peters has announced the government's plan to end greyhound racing in New Zealand. "This is not a decision that has been taken lightly, but ultimately it is about the welfare of the dogs," he said in a statement at the Beehive on Tuesday afternoon. The official, who has served as Racing Minister three times and has been a supporter of the racing industry, has been considering the future of greyhound racing since the beginning of the year.
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02-09, 2025Many anti-greyhound racing campaigners had believed that Peters’ love of horse racing meant the industry would survive, so the announcement is likely to come as a shock to both the industry and its opponents. Peters stated that the greyhound racing industry has been under scrutiny for animal welfare concerns for many years. Over the past decade, there have been three reviews of the industry, all recommending significant reforms.
A landmark report by former High Court judge Sir Rodney Hansen in 2017 found high rates of injuries and euthanasia in greyhound racing, a large number of "unaccounted for" dogs, and few dogs being rehomed. "While there have been significant improvements in the greyhound racing industry in recent years, the proportion of dogs being injured remains unacceptably high and the time has come to make a decision in the best interests of the animals," said Peters.
The Minister had considered whether greyhound racing could continue safely with tighter regulation, but there was "no evidence that injury rates would significantly decrease," and stated that injury rates have been "persistently and stubbornly high." He said, "The time has come to do the right thing. This is a very important day." He acknowledged the work done by Greyhound Racing New Zealand to make the industry safer, but believes too many animals are still being injured. "Even with improvements, the public can no longer accept it. Greyhound racing is an inherently risky sport."
Greyhound Racing New Zealand chairman Sean Hannan said the greyhound racing community was "shocked" by the announcement, which he called a "devastating blow" to an industry that has invested heavily in reform. "We are extremely disappointed that the government has not recognised the work the industry has undertaken to address areas of concern, to the point that it now leads the wider racing industry in its commitment to animal welfare," Hannan said. A quarterly animal welfare progress report released by Greyhound Racing New Zealand in October showed there were 75 "significant" injury events between August 1 and October 31, including two dogs euthanised due to racing injuries and one sudden death, which the association acknowledged was an increase on the previous quarter and "disappointing." But it insists it has addressed the welfare issues raised in previous industry reviews and is "operating at a level that is consistent with expectations of a modern racing environment."
The industry's phased closure will take place over 20 months to allow for the rehoming of greyhounds and to provide a transition period for those working in the industry. An urgent process will begin on Tuesday to introduce new legislation, the Racing Industry (Unlawful Destruction of Specified Greyhounds) Amendment Bill, to "prevent the unnecessary killing of greyhounds." This will mean no greyhound can be euthanised without veterinary approval. Peters said this legislation is necessary because "we are advised that unless we get control of this immediately, there is a risk of significant dog abuse." He said: "A key task will be rehoming the estimated 2900 greyhounds in New Zealand."
An advisory committee has been appointed to help manage the transition process, chaired by Heather Simpson, a former senior advisor to the Helen Clark government, and includes experienced public servant Murray Johnson, and veterinarian and current chair of the New Zealand Veterinary Council, Dr Lindsay Burton. They will provide advice on ensuring animal welfare and supporting those working in the industry. "Ensuring the safety of unwanted dogs is a top priority. The government is working with animal welfare organisations such as the SPCA to develop plans to support rehoming," Peters said.
SPCA chief science officer Arnja Dale said the announcement was "the best Christmas present ever." She said: "This sport is inherently dangerous. It has had multiple reviews over the last decade. While we appreciate that the industry has made some progress, it has completely lost its social license." She added: "The injury rates are still too high. Deaths are unacceptable." Dale is confident the nearly three thousand greyhounds can be successfully rehomed. "Our priority is the dogs, and we will work together to make this happen."
Currently, there are seven greyhound racing clubs and six tracks nationwide. In the 2023/24 year, there were approximately 390 race meetings and 4800 races, with greyhound racing accounting for 8.5 percent of the racing industry’s economic output, and the industry employs more than 1000 people. New Zealand is one of only five countries that still allow commercial greyhound racing. Further legislation is required to end the industry. Peters said a bill to make the necessary amendments to the Racing Industry Act 2020 will be introduced to Parliament in 2025. There will be a full select committee process, but the ban has cross-party political consensus and has the support of Cabinet, as well as Labour and the Green Party.
Peters said there are no similar plans for the horse racing industry. Just two hours before the announcement, long-time anti-greyhound racing campaigner Aaron Cross of the Greyhound Protection League, in an interview with Stuff, expressed despair at the industry after learning a prominent trainer had been found rehoming dogs but “falsifying paperwork.” He said: “Once dogs leave the racing industry, we can’t track where they are going. It’s very opaque.” When asked what he thought the minister would do regarding a ban, he predicted the industry would survive. “This is not a government that puts animal welfare first. We always hope for the best. We prepare for the worst.” Cross is being sought for updated comment on the minister’s decision to close the industry. Comment has also been sought from the trainer and Greyhound Racing New Zealand.
