As part of the Messara Report
"In 2018 a Future Venue Plan Joint Working Group was established between the NZRB and the three Codes to develop a future infrastructure plan for the NZ racing industry"
Messara has referred to this report in recommending 20 courses be closed to generate 190 mil to pay for facilities and track upgrades.
Of the 28 to be kept, he recommends
1. 3 synthetic tracks at Cambridge, Awapuni and Riccarton
2. Total course proper rebuilds(24 months out), at Ellerslie, Riccarton and Awapuni
3. Course proper reconstructions(12-18 months out), at Te Aroha and Trentham
4. Course proper renovations(6-12 months out), at Matamata, Hastings, OTAKI, Wanganui, New Plymouth, Tauherenikau, Wingatui, Ashburton, Invercargill, Kumara and Cromwell
The concern is after the various debacles at Otaki and Te Rapa and a few others, that NZ Racing simply does not have the expertise to execute such a plan, and a reluctance to take on what is needed to execute such a plan