Racing Minister Winston Peters says greyhound racing is winding down around the world. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Cabinet has formally agreed to shut down greyhound racing in New Zealand.
The agreement cements an in-principle decision taken last year to end greyhound racing from 31 July 2026, in the wake of three major reviews of the industry over animal welfare and safety concerns.
A bill will now be drafted to give effect to that decision, and will include setting up a transition agency - funded by the TAB - to manage rehoming of greyhounds and supporting industry members while the sport is wound down.
Industry members will be supported as greyhound racing comes to an end, Winston Peters says. Photo: 123RF
Racing Minister Winston Peters said having a comprehensive plan was crucial, and a ministerial advisory committee led by Heather Simpson had been consulting with sector representatives, rehoming agencies, animal welfare groups, and government agencies to plan out the process.
"It is important people get the opportunity to have their say. The decision to end greyhound racing was not one Cabinet took lightly. I acknowledge the impact that closing the industry will have on those involved," Peters said.
"But globally the industry is winding down, with Tasmania recently announcing an end to greyhound racing. The bottom line is too many dogs continue to die and be seriously injured, and it is time to do the right thing."
He said the bill to bring the shutdown into law would be introduced to Parliament before the end of the year, and consulted on through the select committee process.
Governing body Greyhound Racing NZ said the government had shut down the sport without weighing up the costs on people and economic activity.
"The truth is our people are honest, hard-working and look after their dogs. We meet all welfare requirements the government makes of us, endorsed by their own Racing Integrity Board," said GRNZ chief executive Edward Rennell.
He said the ban would seize GRNZ's assets, without any compensation for the 1054 full-time employees who will lose their jobs.
"They will shut down an incorporated society that hasn't done anything illegal, seize $15m of the sport's hard-earned money, permit broadcasts of 48,000 Australian greyhound races and take $223m in bets. This shows the ban is not about welfare. Approximately $50m in annual betting revenue from Australian greyhounds will be gifted to the horse racing codes."
Rennell said the losses would be keenly felt in the provinces, particularly Waikato, the central North Island, and Canterbury.
The SPCA welcomed the confirmation of the decision.
"With around 1500 greyhounds expected to need homes by the end of racing, rehoming capacity must be scaled up quickly, before the ban comes into force, so dogs are not left waiting in kennels," said the SPCA's chief scientific officer Arnja Dale.
The SPCA said at current rehoming rates it would take two years to rehome all greyhounds following the industry's closer. It supported the MAG's recommendation to scale up rehoming, saying public awareness and a national adoption campaign would be crucial.
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