NZTR and HBRI Unveil Plans for Hawke’s Bay Racing Precinct

[Chief Stipe]

awke’s Bay region.

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NZTR and HBRI Unveil Plans for Hawke’s Bay Racing Precinct

This evening, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and Hawke’s Bay Racing Inc. (HBRI) presented to Club Members on proposals for the future of racing in the Hawke’s Bay region.

The Forum marked the first formal opportunity for the Club’s full membership to consider these proposals, which set out a two-part strategy: restoring racing at Hastings Racecourse in the short term, while advancing plans for a new long-term Greenfields racing precinct venue in Flaxmere. The proposals form part of NZTR’s national infrastructure strategy, which recognises Hawke’s Bay as a key regional centre for racing.

The revitalisation strategy outlined to Members has two key elements. The first is an interim project at Hastings Racecourse, where a partial recambering of the track’s bends will be undertaken to improve safety and performance. This work will allow racing to recommence at Hastings Racecourse in time for the 2026 Spring Carnival. This upgrade is essential in allowing racing to return to Hawke’s Bay while longer-term solutions are progressed. The works will be staged to minimise disruption to Central District-based trainers and horses. 

In parallel, Members were presented with a long-term proposal to develop a new, purpose-built racing and training facility on a Greenfields site in Flaxmere. Envisioned as a modern metropolitan venue, the facility would host premier race meetings, support year-round training, and provide wider event and tourism benefits for the local community. The Greenfields proposal remains subject to funding confirmation, Resource Management Act approvals, including mana whenua consultation, as well as formal approval by Members. A vote will be required once funding is confirmed before any final commitment is made, with project timelines dependent on the outcome of those ongoing discussions.

NZTR Chief Executive Officer, Matt Ballesty, said the Hawke’s Bay region remains a vital part of New Zealand’s racing network and is an important focus of the organisation’s long-term strategy.

“Our vision is to build a sustainable, world-class racing infrastructure across the country, and Hawke’s Bay has a key role to play in that,” he said.

“Hastings has been confirmed as a strategic venue, reflecting the NZTR Board’s directive to ensure Hawke’s Bay remains a centre of racing excellence in the years ahead. The projects presented tonight address both the immediate need to restore racing and the longer-term opportunity to deliver a modern facility for the future.

“Realising that vision will require strong collaboration with the Club, ongoing engagement with Members, and, importantly, securing the necessary funding. With the right resourcing and careful planning, these projects can create facilities that serve both the industry and the wider community for decades to come,” Ballesty said. 

HBRI Chairman, Richard Riddell, said the Forum was an important opportunity to involve Members in shaping the Club’s next chapter.

“This evening was about opening up the conversation with our Members and ensuring they are part of the decision-making process,” Riddell said.

“For the first time, the full membership has been presented with these proposals, and their feedback and support will be crucial as we move forward. 

“The interim track upgrade provides a clear and practical path back to racing at Hastings next year, while the Flaxmere Greenfields proposal is about thinking bigger and setting up Hawke’s Bay racing for the next generation. Our Members’ role in that journey cannot be overstated,” he said. 

Both the Club and NZTR emphasised that the redevelopment proposals would deliver benefits extending well beyond the racing industry itself. Should the proposed Greenfields venue in Flaxmere proceed, redevelopment of the current Hastings Racecourse site would only occur once the new Flaxmere facility is completed and formally handed over for racing use.

At that point, the Hastings Racecourse land could be released and it is likely that redevelopment will take place, potentially paving the way for much-needed housing and other urban projects in the heart of Hastings. This aligns with wider community priorities, with local government and Council already progressing for new housing initiatives in the area. A purpose-built Greenfields racing and events facility in Flaxmere would also create jobs during both construction and operation, attract visitors and tourism spend, and complement Hawke’s Bay’s broader urban planning strategies.

“This is not just about racing, it’s about contributing to Hawke’s Bay’s future,” Riddell said. 

The Hastings track recambering project will move into its implementation phase this month, with progress updates to be provided as Spring 2026 approaches. In parallel, planning for the proposed Flaxmere Greenfields development will continue alongside efforts to secure funding. Decisions on potential government co-funding are pending, and Members will ultimately vote on any relocation proposal once details are finalised.

Ballesty said the organisations recognise the dynamic nature of the process.

“We appreciate this is an evolving project and that circumstances are constantly moving,” he said. 

“NZTR and HBRI want to express our gratitude for the ongoing support and patience shown by the Hawke’s Bay racing community and neighbouring Clubs in the region who have stepped up to help fill the racing programme while Hastings Racecourse is out of action.

“Our commitment is to keep Members, stakeholders and the wider community updated, and we will provide further detail as soon as it is possible to do so,” Ballesty said. 

 

Corporate Communications
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing
nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nzhttps://bitofayarn.com

[Chief Stipe]

Things look positive for the CD although I imagine Waipukurau and Woodville will be absorbed.  The proposal justifies the time taken.

[jess]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

The proposal justifies the time taken.

Does it? 

It's not my area - can someone in the know tell me whether it's only now that work will start to "restore" the Hastings track? Or has this been a work in progress since the track was abandoned as a racing surface?  (quite a long time ago, now I believe ...)

J.

[Chief Stipe]

9 minutes ago, jess said:

It's not my area - can someone in the know tell me whether it's only now that work will start to "restore" the Hastings track?

One of the possibilities was that they wouldn't restore the existing track if the cost was too much i.e. not worth throwing money at it in the short term.  I have no problem with them taking their time and looking at all the options available rather than rushing headlong into wasting money.  It's called planning.  A shame that the industry hasn't done more of it.

[Chief Stipe]

I saw this post on the pond and thought it was worth plagiarising.

The problems Hawkes Bay racing faces only start with the camber of the track...which has been an issue for many years.

The infrastructure, especially the main grandstand, would get a big 'fail ' in a H&S survey. A rabbit warren inside, dry old furniture and fittings, its an absolute fire hazard. To even contemplate any renovations involves $millions and the money just aint there..or the motivation. Will more people come just because their buildings look different? 

For many years the club owned a piece of land opposite the tie-ups, horses would be unloaded on it and walked across a busy road to the tie ups. Absolute nightmare and the club has now sold it and is using another part of the inside of the course..why they didnt do that years ago nobody knows.

I've been going there for many years, the 'Spring ' carnival used to be a delight and I won a number of races with horses I bred and owned or part owned. But the last few years of that 'carnival ' were an embarrassment, most of the crowd under 30 only went there to get pissed.

I'm not going to go into detail but some people on their committee are way out of their depth. Hence the situation they find themselves in. Time to face reality and stop the financial ' bleeding '. As in other places in NZ racing in Hawkes Bay is over. Dreams of a 'Greenfield ' new track etc are just that, dreams. Who do they think will relocate to that area? Costs $thousands to race anywhere apart from Hastings now with the cost of horse transport,especially to the 'new' racing metropolis of Ellerslie.

Time for the industry to get real, sell Hastings and stop the dreaming.

[Chief Stipe]

Now aside from the obvious negativity which we have to come to expect from the Anti-racing mob there are some valid points.

I agree with the description of the state of the current course and facilities but to suggest that the industry should abandon racing in the HB is ludicrous.  If you take that intent to its full extent then close Waipukurau and Woodville as well.

Using the same logic you'd abandon Trentham tomorrow before wasting anymore money on it.

At least the HB has a resident horse population and is closer to the Waikato population than either Trentham or New Plymouth. 

[hesi]

Ballesty's statement is unambiguous

NZTR Chief Executive Officer, Matt Ballesty, said the Hawke’s Bay region remains a vital part of New Zealand’s racing network and is an important focus of the organisation’s long-term strategy.

[Chief Stipe]

1 hour ago, hesi said:

Ballesty's statement is unambiguous

NZTR Chief Executive Officer, Matt Ballesty, said the Hawke’s Bay region remains a vital part of New Zealand’s racing network and is an important focus of the organisation’s long-term strategy.

Looking at Google Maps I can't work out where in Flaxmere a Greenfields site would go.  I realise the wine industry has a glut but it would involve a few hectares of vines being pulled out.

[hesi]

Current racecourse to Flaxmere is only about 4km

[Chief Stipe]

33 minutes ago, hesi said:

Current racecourse to Flaxmere is only about 4km

That's the village of Flaxmere.  Land nearby without housing is all developed in Horticulture.