Journalists Wandering Eyes Posted May 14 Journalists Posted May 14 Project Stamina: Joint Industry Update May 2026 NZTR and HRNZ with the support of TAB NZ would like to provide an update on the timing of the next phase of Project Stamina. May 14, 2026 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) with the support of TAB New Zealand (TAB NZ) would like to provide an update on the timing of the next phase of Project Stamina. As the industry is aware, there are currently a number of wider strategic discussions underway relating to the long-term sustainability and future direction of racing in New Zealand. NZTR and HRNZ continue to engage constructively with TAB NZ, as well as the TAB NZ Advisory Committee, and other industry stakeholders as part of this process. Given the importance of ensuring alignment across these discussions and the significant role infrastructure planning will play in the future of both codes, additional time is being taken as work on Project Stamina progresses.https://bitofayarn.com The Boards of NZTR and HRNZ have now received a draft report from consultants RCP and are working through the draft recommendations and next stages of long-term infrastructure planning, with the project expected to be finalised and communicated to the industry by the end of July 2026. https://bitofayarn.com NZTR Chief Executive Officer Matt Ballesty said it was important the industry took a coordinated and considered approach to long-term planning. “Project Stamina is about building a sustainable future for racing infrastructure across New Zealand. Given the wider strategic work currently underway across the industry, it is important we take the time to ensure this work is properly aligned and informed by those discussions,” Ballesty said. HRNZ Chair Grant Jarrold said the work undertaken through Project Stamina would help inform how racing infrastructure supports the future needs of both codes. “This is significant work that will help shape the future footprint of racing in New Zealand. It is important we take the time to get this right and ensure the industry has a clear and practical long-term plan for infrastructure and venue utilisation,” Jarrold said. Earlier this year, RCP completed an extensive phase of industry engagement, involving approximately 50 meetings with racing clubs, Recognised Industry Organisations, and the Racing Integrity Board across both the Thoroughbred and Harness codes. Stakeholders also had the opportunity to provide feedback through online submissions. Feedback gathered through that process has been used to inform the development of future-state infrastructure options. Both organisations are committed to delivering a unified, long-term infrastructure masterplan that supports a sustainable, resilient, and financially strong future for racing in New Zealand.https://bitofayarn.com Read all Project Stamina Updates here. Quote
Murray Fish Posted May 14 Posted May 14 sigh, seems a update on a update without any actuals? 1 1 Quote
Huey Posted May 15 Posted May 15 22 hours ago, Murray Fish said: sigh, seems a update on a update without any actuals? You're absolutely right! 1 Quote
Huey Posted May 15 Posted May 15 It probably translates a bit like this : Hi Industry, we are doing something. We dont know what that something is, we are waiting to be told about the something by some consultants. The consultants dont understand the thing the something is in , but if we use them we can blame them if the something goes wrong. so hang tight waiting for the something, as we also have to check with our something masters that the something is OK by them. also please recognise we are making another press release about the something so that we think the industry still deems us relevant is some form. BTW the something is asset theft ,mainly provincial. We know you know that but we wanted to tell the industry that we also know that about the something, but didn't want to tell you that we knew about the something before the consultants undertook their Ai inspired copy & paste exercise. So please from us consider the something a new something, maybe like a house with a new paint job on it. 3 Quote
Nowornever Posted May 15 Posted May 15 (edited) On 14/05/2026 at 4:07 PM, Wandering Eyes said: New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) with the support of TAB New Zealand (TAB NZ) would like to provide an update on the timing of the next phase of Project Stamina. As the industry is aware, there are currently a number of wider strategic discussions underway relating to the long-term sustainability and future direction of racing in New Zealand. NZTR and HRNZ continue to engage constructively with TAB NZ, as well as the TAB NZ Advisory Committee, and other industry stakeholders as part of this process. Given the importance of ensuring alignment across these discussions and the significant role infrastructure planning will play in the future of both codes, additional time is being taken as work on Project Stamina progresses.https://bitofayarn.com The Boards of NZTR and HRNZ have now received a draft report from consultants RCP and are working through the draft recommendations and next stages of long-term infrastructure planning, with the project expected to be finalised and communicated to the industry by the end of July 2026. https://bitofayarn.com NZTR Chief Executive Officer Matt Ballesty said it was important the industry took a coordinated and considered approach to long-term planning. “Project Stamina is about building a sustainable future for racing infrastructure across New Zealand. Given the wider strategic work currently underway across the industry, it is important we take the time to ensure this work is properly aligned and informed by those discussions,” Ballesty said. HRNZ Chair Grant Jarrold said the work undertaken through Project Stamina would help inform how racing infrastructure supports the future needs of both codes. “This is significant work that will help shape the future footprint of racing in New Zealand. It is important we take the time to get this right and ensure the industry has a clear and practical long-term plan for infrastructure and venue utilisation,” Jarrold said. Earlier this year, RCP completed an extensive phase of industry engagement, involving approximately 50 meetings with racing clubs, Recognised Industry Organisations, and the Racing Integrity Board across both the Thoroughbred and Harness codes. Stakeholders also had the opportunity to provide feedback through online submissions. Feedback gathered through that process has been used to inform the development of future-state infrastructure options. Both organisations are committed to delivering a unified, long-term infrastructure masterplan that supports a sustainable, resilient, and financially strong future for racing in New Zealand.https://bitofayarn.com Read all Project Stamina Updates here. The industry keeps hiring consultants to explain racing to racing people while turnover battles and shrinking viability caused by years of poor management continue in plain sight. At some point the industry needs fewer reports and more people in the room who have genuinely lived the trainer, driver and jockey side of racing because those are the people who actually understand the realities, pressures and challenges facing the industry every day. Edited May 15 by Nowornever 3 Quote
Chief Stipe Posted May 15 Posted May 15 24 minutes ago, Nowornever said: The industry keeps hiring consultants to explain racing to racing people while turnover battles and shrinking viability caused by years of poor management continue in plain sight. Which every Club in NZ has been guilty of. 24 minutes ago, Nowornever said: At some point the industry needs fewer reports and more people in the room who have genuinely lived the trainer, driver and jockey side of racing because those are the people who actually understand the realities, pressures and challenges facing the industry every day. That's the last thing they need. They need focussed people who have run successful profitable businesses and the racing side of the industry needs to be restructured to stand on its own two feet and not be reliant on subsidies. Yes administration costs need to be cut but so do the unprofitable Clubs need to be let go. Quote
Chief Stipe Posted May 15 Posted May 15 4 hours ago, Huey said: It probably translates a bit like this : Hi Industry, we are doing something. We dont know what that something is, we are waiting to be told about the something by some consultants. The consultants dont understand the thing the something is in , but if we use them we can blame them if the something goes wrong. so hang tight waiting for the something, as we also have to check with our something masters that the something is OK by them. also please recognise we are making another press release about the something so that we think the industry still deems us relevant is some form. BTW the something is asset theft ,mainly provincial. We know you know that but we wanted to tell the industry that we also know that about the something, but didn't want to tell you that we knew about the something before the consultants undertook their Ai inspired copy & paste exercise. So please from us consider the something a new something, maybe like a house with a new paint job on it. The provinces have squandered their assets away. They have been running unprofitable businesses for decades just like many RSA's and Bowling Clubs. You'd be pleased to know @Huey that your least favoured track Ruakaka sits on a knife edge. Either Ellerslie assist with a JV and or Trainers looking for winter racing and training on a good surface pitch up to ensure 12 meetings a year it will be gone. Fingers crossed one of those initiatives come to fruition. Otherwise there will be no racing north of Ellerslie. Quote
Huey Posted May 15 Posted May 15 9 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: The provinces have squandered their assets away. They have been running unprofitable businesses for decades just like many RSA's and Bowling Clubs. You'd be pleased to know @Huey that your least favoured track Ruakaka sits on a knife edge. Either Ellerslie assist with a JV and or Trainers looking for winter racing and training on a good surface pitch up to ensure 12 meetings a year it will be gone. Fingers crossed one of those initiatives come to fruition. Otherwise there will be no racing north of Ellerslie. Sometimes I just sit here bewildered, star struck even at the naivety of your statements! It defies belief that after all the things this industry has been through that there is someone like you, who actually believes what you're saying and that you're not actually trying to be stupid or funny. 1 Quote
Chief Stipe Posted May 16 Posted May 16 34 minutes ago, Huey said: Sometimes I just sit here bewildered, star struck even at the naivety of your statements! It defies belief that after all the things this industry has been through that there is someone like you, who actually believes what you're saying and that you're not actually trying to be stupid or funny. Well instead of an emotive response prove me wrong. Quote
hesi Posted May 16 Posted May 16 2 hours ago, Nowornever said: The industry keeps hiring consultants to explain racing to racing people while turnover battles and shrinking viability caused by years of poor management continue in plain sight. At some point the industry needs fewer reports and more people in the room who have genuinely lived the trainer, driver and jockey side of racing because those are the people who actually understand the realities, pressures and challenges facing the industry every day. It does not necessarily follow that because they are experts in the thoroughbred horse that they are experts in running an industry.. Has AirNZ ever had a pilot as their CEO? John Messara, possibly the most skilled racing administrator in Aus, did a report on the NZ industry and the racing industry pushed back on it big time. If John Messara does not understand racing, then who does? 1 Quote
hesi Posted May 16 Posted May 16 So, anyone got a name. Huey, you always have a lot to say. Let's make that 6 names, 1 to lead the industry, another 5 with thoroughbred experience in their veins to populate the Board and Executive. I can think of 2, who have the necessary thoroughbred experience and have built big companies in non-racing fields Quote
Chief Stipe Posted May 16 Posted May 16 18 minutes ago, hesi said: I can think of 2, who have the necessary thoroughbred experience and have built big companies in non-racing fields Can't be Peter Vela or Bredan Lyndsay - they are either "whales" or "the racing mafia" in @Huey 's world! Quote
Chief Stipe Posted May 16 Posted May 16 22 minutes ago, hesi said: The other was a SI guy, maybe too old now?? Ray Coupland? Quote
Murray Fish Posted May 16 Posted May 16 1 hour ago, hesi said: I had Brendan Lindsay lol.... sorry, as the sunsets... Quote
Chief Stipe Posted May 16 Posted May 16 8 minutes ago, Murray Fish said: lol.... sorry, as the sunsets... Making $660m out of making and selling plastic lunchboxes doesn't require any business skill? Quote
Huey Posted May 16 Posted May 16 5 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: @Huey ? Are you outting yourself? Quote
Huey Posted May 16 Posted May 16 5 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: Well instead of an emotive response prove me wrong. Nothing emotive about my response , its an accurate observation. Quote
Chief Stipe Posted May 16 Posted May 16 2 minutes ago, Huey said: Nothing emotive about my response , its an accurate observation. Well explain you statement with substance rather than emotion. 6 hours ago, Huey said: Sometimes I just sit here bewildered, star struck even at the naivety of your statements! It defies belief that after all the things this industry has been through that there is someone like you, who actually believes what you're saying and that you're not actually trying to be stupid or funny. What did I say that was "stupid or funny"? As for you being bewildered aren't you in the home for the bewildered? Instead of one sentence meaningless statements give us all some substance? You never have as you talk in riddles, anectdotes with no substance. Quote
Huey Posted May 16 Posted May 16 13 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: Well explain you statement with substance rather than emotion. You explain something, all you do is riggle around issues, disagreeing with all and sundry (including yourself) . Quote
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