This letter was sent to both YOU and Winston on the 28th November 2017... Winstons Office acknowledged receipt and You did not have the deceny to.
Winston Peters ]
Glenda Hughes ] Hello to you both in Capacity as, Minister for Racing, and Head of The Racing Board. My Name is Graeme Clarke. I became Passionately involved as a 15 year old in 1965, in the sport of Greyhound Racing. I was present at the Royal Commission of Enquiry that after a long battle was the catalyst for where the sport stands today. I am at present, as a result of an initial complaint laid by The Greyhound Association through the Racing Integrity Unit now coming before The Judicial Control Authority on the 5th Dec. The initial complaint was under the Social Media Policy that this year after all my active years of dedicated input to the sport I was forced to sign before the Head Of Racing would relicense me for this present season.
Prior to this initial charge being activated against me a group of battlers that are like being decimated from the sport hired a Private Investigator to obtain evidence of a leading trainer that was known to be Live Baiting. This evidence was presented to the NZGRA office in Wellington. ( I was not involved in this complaint and photos being presented at the time.) The few photos that I enclose for you to see have confirmation of three presently licensed persons. The Code Of Welfare in N.Z.Law does not allow for Live or dead animals to be used for training or other purposes. At this stage already underway was the investigation against this trainer by the RNZSPCA Led by Head Investigator Brett Lahman and is still on going awaiting I believe, a few finer details and results to arrive from analysis. Some time back at least two signed statements were presented to The NZGRA and RIU from two separate employees at the time of this same trainer combine and they were put in a top drawer and Never acted on. In my opinion the evidence produced should have activated immediate action but once again this has been handled in very suspicious ways. If under the same rules we race with our Australian counterparts this kennel and those involved would have been closed down pending further investigations and all dogs in their care would have been suspended pending. The same R.I.U Investigator that interviewed me told me that They could not act further until the SPCA results have been released. I do not believe this at all !, as One is possible Conviction through N.Z. Law and the other within the scopes of the N.Z.Racing Board , two separate investigations with different possible outcomes.
The Head of the NZGR Assoc board until just this month when he retired was Craig Rendle. Mr Rendle is heavily involved with this accused trainer and breeds and races a huge number of dogs with them and I believe bought or financed the adjoining property to this trainer where the photos were taken. I believe the Conflict Of Interest alone should have not permitted Rendle to Head the board and be so closely associated with this trainer as a case of another board member resulted in David Scott being disqualified for 10 years and fined as well. There is nothing different in place to stop the same thing being repeated here as in this case, and what’s more another present Board member has had an affair with a license holder (who got off a drugs charge unbelievably lightly and is also the Accountant for another leading top trainer. Jean Fahey also new to the Board is the Husband of Dave Fahey a top trainer , Conflict? There is so much conflict of interest and in my opinion “Corruption” somewhere in the chain of The Racing Board structure and this is a shame as it branches out into all of the 3 codes. Have a look at the R.I.U. This is meant to be the point of Honesty, Fairness, Trust and Integrity that we should all have the protection of.
Just look at its beginnings .. Cameron George, Ross Neal, Gavin Whiterod, Nigel McIntyre and Scotty Wallis. NIgel McIntyre helped dress the Clinically dead body of a license holder that Ross Neal had an affair with for a year and a half, Nigel is still at present The General Manager of Stewards. Gavin Whiterod while Head steward (Now Head Steward of Greyhound Racing RIU lived with a licensed holder who also worked as the Kennel Supervisor for the Whanganui Greyhound Club and her son was working for two Leading kennels at the time. I believe he was one who signed a statement well over a year back against the trainer that is under investigation at present. Scotty Wallace a Stipendiary Steward has just recently Stole a licensed persons partner and has just became engaged to her while her ex Partner still races under the supervision of Wallis. I honestly believe we need a good clean up and the R.I.U. needs to be revamped from the top. There are six Racing Investigators at least covering the country is this not an overkill? The Unit can be made cleaner and meaner. The Greyhound Association headed by Phil Holden who was employed and Groomed by Rendle still maintains that connection of deceit. I have only brushed the problems within our industry. We had Tier Two racing that was suggested by an Independent source to give our dogs that needed experience or just wern’t quite quick enough as a result of lack of racing and experience a chance of Life. We had also at one point $40 petrol Voucher for unplaced dogs reduced to $20 and then like the Tier two concept these were scrapped under Rendles Watch to increase the stake money in the interests of of the many , many dogs he owns or part owns. Back to the Tier Two and the fact that Too many dogs are being bred by the number orientated trainers Those dogs are now being “Put Down” By the Hundreds as the Greyhound Adoption Programme is not functioning or coping with demand under the guidance supposedly of the Association. This is serious!! and has serious on going Implications and must be controlled. The Tier Two racing while smaller Prize money was an avenue to help keep these beautiful animals a live. While extra work for the clubs and revenue outlay for no return if they had of allowed betting on these races they could have sustained the idea and hundreds of dogs would be with us today.. The Brendon Cole and Rendle formula is destroying the racing here In the Central Districts and while he is winning 2/3 rds of most programs and last year pocketed One and A half Million it is leaving an over supply of dogs and distraught followers of the sport like me.. I am finished, now, deregistered and facing charges. My pension though firstly is channelled to the 17 dogs I still have here to love, hug and feed.. I was forced to put some down and I will never ever get over the grief I still carry it deep.. I am enclosing a couple of Pictures for you to see and I am posting my charges also from the R.I.U. Brenda, I warn you the “abusive rhetoric” is something I am not proud about, Winston I hope you understand, but while alcohol and medications combined and sheer frustration found me viewing my postings sent the following morning, I must have known at the time what I was writing and I will take full responsibility for that.
Thank you for a chance to explain for once to the very Top of our Industry, Kindest, Sincere ,Regards Graeme Clarke (Clarkie)
