New Zealand will ban greyhound racing by 2026 due to “unacceptably high” rates of injuries and deaths among racing dogs, the government announced.
While greyhound racing has been part of New Zealand’s history since the late 19th century, public scrutiny over the welfare of racing dogs has intensified in recent years. Independent reports revealed alarming rates of serious injuries and euthanasia of healthy dogs, prompting the Labour government in 2021 to warn the industry to improve or face closure.
Deputy Prime Minister and Racing Minister Winston Peters explained the decision was made to prioritize animal welfare. “Despite progress in recent years, the injury rates remain too high, and the time has come to act in the best interest of the dogs,” Peters said.
The industry will be phased out over the next 20 months, with greyhound racing clubs and tracks set to close by the end of 2026. An advisory committee will oversee the rehoming of 2,900 dogs, working alongside animal welfare groups to ensure a smooth transition. Legislation banning racing will be introduced in 2025, with a separate law to prevent unnecessary euthanasia of racing dogs being tabled immediately.
Greyhound Racing NZ expressed disappointment, stating it had invested significantly in reforms and led the racing industry in its commitment to animal welfare. “This decision impacts families, businesses, and communities who have dedicated their lives to the sport,” said chair Sean Hannan.
The ban will affect around 1,000 full-time workers in the industry, while animal welfare groups and opposition parties applauded the move. Labour’s racing spokesperson Tangi Utikere pledged to support a timely implementation, while the Greens’ Steve Abel called it a long-overdue decision after years of ignored evidence.
New Zealand is among the few countries still permitting commercial greyhound racing, alongside Australia, the US, the UK, and Ireland. In 2023/24 alone, the country hosted approximately 4,800 races across its seven greyhound clubs and six tracks.
