Finishing line in sight for greyhound racing

[Chief Stipe]

Finishing line in sight for greyhound racing

12:05 pm today 

 

RNZ Gallery

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.

[Special Agent]

Fantastic, Winston acknowledges the impact on those who will be effected by the closure of their industry.

Also stating "The bottom line is too many dogs continue to die and be seriously injured, and it is time to do the right thing."  How many is he talking about?

I wonder if he's done a tot up on how much the TAB will be funding.  If the rehoming system does not take the same stance as the SPCA in putting dogs down after a certain period, the expenditure is going to get out of hand.  You'd also have to wonder what form the support of industry members is going to take.

I'm with Chief on this one.  I can't believe minorities have not been stood up to, and racing bods are naive to think they won't suffer a similar fate.

 

 

[curious]

19 minutes ago, Special Agent said:

  I can't believe minorities have not been stood up to, and racing bods are naive to think they won't suffer a similar fate.

What minorities? I think it's the same majorities that the 'racing bods' are facing.

[Chief Stipe]

3 hours ago, Special Agent said:

If the rehoming system does not take the same stance as the SPCA in putting dogs down after a certain period, the expenditure is going to get out of hand

Yep the SPCA are singing all the way to the bank.  Now they can fund all the pets they put down each week.  Hypocrisy at its best!!

[hesi]

SAFE 

26m ·

 

We're now ONE STEP CLOSER to the ban on greyhound racing!

Despite attempts from the industry to fight this ban, it’s clear that compassion has crossed the finish line first, and we couldn’t be more proud of everyone involved.

Cabinet's decision to officially bring an end to greyhound racing was the next crucial step to ensure that this ban becomes law.

A Bill to legislate the ban on greyhound racing will be introduced to Parliament later this year, and the public will be invited to make submissions to the Select Committee.

Cabinet has also agreed to ALL recommendations in the Committee’s interim report, including setting up a Transition Agency funded by the TAB, which would manage the greyhound rehoming program and support members of the industry through the closure process.

This is not just a massive win for animals in Aotearoa – this is your win too. Change doesn’t happen on its own, and this win is owed to everyone who stood up and demanded better for these dogs.

SAFE will continue to be here every step of the way to ensure that this crucial decision becomes law, and that the welfare of these dogs will be put first.

[hesi]

I wonder to what extent they will stand up and demand better for the thousands of dogs that are maltreated and eventually euthanised every year in NZ.

Bit of a case of Greyhounds being the low hanging fruit

[Chief Stipe]

31 minutes ago, hesi said:

I wonder to what extent they will stand up and demand better for the thousands of dogs that are maltreated and eventually euthanised every year in NZ.

Bit of a case of Greyhounds being the low hanging fruit

Hypocrisy at its worst.

[Taupiri Wonder]

4 hours ago, Special Agent said:

I wonder if he's done a tot up on how much the TAB will be funding.  If the rehoming system does not take the same stance as the SPCA in putting dogs down after a certain period, the expenditure is going to get out of hand.  

 

 

Ministerial Advisory Committee Report presented to Peters,then Cabinet this week,outlines a figure of $60million across 3 years from 1 August 2026.

Did not specify a set figure for TAB to contribute.

[Chief Stipe]

14 minutes ago, Taupiri Wonder said:

Ministerial Advisory Committee Report presented to Peters,then Cabinet this week,outlines a figure of $60million across 3 years from 1 August 2026.

Did not specify a set figure for TAB to contribute.

$60 million!!!  Someone is taking the piss.

[curious]

15 minutes ago, Taupiri Wonder said:

Ministerial Advisory Committee Report presented to Peters,then Cabinet this week,outlines a figure of $60million across 3 years from 1 August 2026.

Did not specify a set figure for TAB to contribute.

I'm still not clear why TABNZ should contribute?

[curious]

24 minutes ago, Taupiri Wonder said:

Ministerial Advisory Committee Report presented to Peters,then Cabinet this week,outlines a figure of $60million across 3 years from 1 August 2026.

Did not specify a set figure for TAB to contribute.

That figure was in the May 2025 report wasn't it? Where is the new report?

 

Edited 1 hour ago by curious

[Taupiri Wonder]

Yes,May 2025 Report.

[PeterLambFan]

30 minutes ago, curious said:

I'm still not clear why TABNZ should contribute?

Because it’s not politically palatable for the tax payer to stump up for the costs. 

[PeterLambFan]

This is the worst form of hypocrisy. It cruel and dangerous so we can condone it in New Zealand but feel free to have a bet on the Darwin Dogs every Sunday till your heart is content. 

[curious]

7 minutes ago, PeterLambFan said:

Because it’s not politically palatable for the tax payer to stump up for the costs. 

Well it was essentially a taxpayer decision wasn't it, made by their elected representatives. I know that it is recommended that the Transition Agency be funded by the TAB, which I think is fair enough, but I don't see why they should fund other costs, e.g. rehoming related, and I haven't seen where it has been suggested that they are expected to?

Edited 1 hour ago by curious

[PeterLambFan]

1 minute ago, curious said:

Well it was essentially a taxpayer decision wasn't it, made by their elected representatives. I know that it is recommended that the Transition Agency be funded by the TAB, which I think is fair enough, but I don't see why they should fund other costs, and I haven't seen where it has been suggested that they are expected to?

Yes, although I don’t recall any party specifically campaigning on the issue. 

[Chief Stipe]

10 minutes ago, curious said:

Well it was essentially a taxpayer decision wasn't it, made by their elected representatives. I know that it is recommended that the Transition Agency be funded by the TAB, which I think is fair enough, but I don't see why they should fund other costs, e.g. rehoming related, and I haven't seen where it has been suggested that they are expected to?

All that aside how did they arrive at the $60m figure?  Perhaps NZ First should donate some of the PGF Slush Fund.

[curious]

7 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

All that aside how did they arrive at the $60m figure?  Perhaps NZ First should donate some of the PGF Slush Fund.

It appeared to be plucked out of thin air by the committee. No accounting was given. It's stated as being over 3 years but in the next breath they report the SPCA saying that at current rates the dogs could be re-homed in 2 years.

96) The total cost of the transition, over three years, is estimated to be up to $60 million,
including rehoming, maintaining traceability, the establishment and operation of the
Transition Agency, the implementation of its functions, and ensuring participants are
supported through the transition.22 There may also be cost incurred by the RIB as they
reduce staff numbers and drug testing volumes.
21 GRNZ annual report, 2024. Net assets of $15.821 m, including $5.971 m of cash and cash equivalents
22 Ex GST, inflation set at 2% p.a. and compounding

[curious]

Sorry, it was GRNZ that said the rehoming could be done in 2 years, not the SPCA.

55) Currently GRNZ estimates that registrations will have dropped to around 1,500 by the
time racing ends. Even at the current rates of rehoming, it would be possible to rehome
that number in around two years. Heightened awareness and consistent promotion may
enable that time to be further reduced.

[Chief Stipe]

28 minutes ago, curious said:

Sorry, it was GRNZ that said the rehoming could be done in 2 years, not the SPCA.

55) Currently GRNZ estimates that registrations will have dropped to around 1,500 by the
time racing ends. Even at the current rates of rehoming, it would be possible to rehome
that number in around two years. Heightened awareness and consistent promotion may
enable that time to be further reduced.

$60m that's $40,000 per dog!!!  I'll take 3.  Geez and we criticise the supposed largesse in Racing administration.