End of dog racing in New Zealand
In a significant move towards protecting animal welfare, New Zealand has announced a ban on greyhound racing starting in 2026 due to persistently high rates of injuries and deaths among racing dogs. Greyhound racing has been a part of New Zealand’s history since the late 19th century. However, recent years have seen mounting public criticism over the treatment of racing dogs. Multiple independent reports have highlighted alarming issues, including the euthanasia of healthy dogs and serious injuries sustained on the tracks. In 2021, the Labour government warned the industry to implement substantial welfare improvements or face closure.
Deputy Prime Minister and Racing Minister Winston Peters shared the government’s decision, emphasizing the priority of animal welfare. “Despite significant progress made by the greyhound racing industry in recent years, the percentage of dogs being injured remains persistently high and the time has come to make a call in the best interest of the animals,” Peters stated.
The government has outlined a plan to gradually wind down the industry over the next 20 months, providing a transition period for the rehoming of racing dogs. Alongside this, legislation aimed at preventing the unnecessary killing of racing dogs is being introduced, with a full ban on racing expected to be legislated in 2025. The select committee process will enable stakeholders, including representatives from the greyhound industry, to submit their views on the proposed legislation. This move marks a critical step in ensuring the welfare and protection of greyhounds in New Zealand.
An advisory committee has been appointed to manage the rehoming of 2,900 racing dogs and the government will work with animal welfare groups to support this. New Zealand is one of a handful of countries where commercial greyhound racing is still permitted, including Australia, Ireland, the US, and the UK. There are seven greyhound race clubs and six tracks in New Zealand, and there were approximately 4,800 races in the 2023/24 year.
