New Zealand’s controversial move to ban greyhound racing by August 1st of 2026 has seen an immediate backlash by the industry, despite going in line with global trends to shut down the activity.
The decision was announced by the nation’s Racing Minister Winston Peters on Tuesday, who indicated that the phase-out period was to allow trainers to have time to re-home the dogs and for industry employees to find other jobs.
“This is not a decision taken lightly, but it is driven by the need to protect the welfare of racing greyhounds,” indicated the official in a statement.
According to reports, the industry is not taking the news lightly, with the CEO of Greyhound Racing New Zealand telling media that “This decision caught us completely by surprise”.
One of the main reasons cited for the shutdown was the injury rate and concerns over animal welfare, which the GRNZ head refutes.
“We firmly believe that greyhound racing has taken significant steps to address welfare concerns raised in previous reviews,” the executive told media.
“Our injury rate is under seven per 1,000 starts, which compares favorably to Australian states,” he noted, while also indicating that the industry “contributes AU$159 million ($102 million) annually to the economy and supports many young families”.
The popularity of greyhound racing has endured a steady decline in recent decades, with even the gaming hub of Macau choosing to shutter its track in 2018.
The sport is still legal in a few countries, including the United States, Australia, Ireland, the UK, Vietnam and Mexico. However, Vietnam and Mexico reportedly don’t have any operating tracks.
While the ban is not yet officially a law, it saw strong political support.
However, legislation to prevent dogs from being euthanized during the wind-down period was passed hours after the ban was announced.
The legislation on the ban is expected to be introduced in 2025.
According to reported statistics, there are seven greyhound race clubs and six tracks within New Zealand, with some 4,800 races being held during the 2023/2024 race year.
The Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Incorporated (SPCA) has praised the news of the ban, noting it was ‘ecstatic’.
It stated that some 3,500 dogs involved in the racing industry ‘will no longer be put at risk of injury, distress, or avoidable death’.
The SPCA’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Arnja Dale, praised Peters for announcing the ban, stating “Thank you for listening to evidence, experts, and the New Zealand public. Thank you for paving the way for these dogs to live a good life.”
