MEDIA RELEASE

NZ Independent Coalition racing policy

NZ Independent Coalition leader Brendan Horan today released the party’s racing policy.

While visiting Karaka today meeting industry leaders, Brendan Horan says there are some 52,000 workers involved actively in the Racing Industry on a daily basis. Despite contributing over 1.5 billion dollars per year to our GDP, our racing industry is in serious decline.

Virtually all in the industry agree the first requirement to save racing is that stakes be raised to attract owners, breeders, trainers, and the general public.

The first priorities of NZ Independent Coalition racing policy are:

• $15,000 minimum Wednesday stakes
• $30,000 minimum Saturday stakes
• at least one $100,000 race per fortnight

The next priority, said party leader Brendan Horan, is for the Government to provide an exciting modern centralised venue, with multi-use grandstand, all-weather track, internal entertainment venues, and modern stabling. Te Rapa seems a logical venue given its size, ease of access, and proximity to neighbouring provinces. Development of the venue will provide jobs in construction and in ongoing operation.

Decisive action must be taken and the Racing Minister Nathan Guy needs to step up to the plate because a substantial investment is necessary to save our $1.6 billion racing industry, and the livelihoods of some 50,000 people actively involved. Most racing facilities are over 70 years old. The industry needs a complete overhaul.

The NZ Racing Board must ensure that racing is seen as the vibrant exciting sport that it is. The new Chief Executive must provide the leadership and reconnect with the industry. The Government needs to supply the money and invest to save and transform our racing industry.

The full racing policy is below

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NZ Independent Coalition
The NZ Independent Coalition believes in planned pathways to prosperity. To achieve this we will work in collaboration with other political parties, experts, community and focus groups and the people we represent, to achieve better legislation that will work for New Zealanders.

www.nzindependent.org.nz
info@nzindependent.org.nz

On RACING
There are some 52,000 workers involved actively in the Racing Industry on a daily basis. Despite contributing over 1.5 billion dollars per year to our GDP, our racing industry is in serious decline.
Many of New Zealand’s trainers are talking about shutting up shop. Too many trainers have left or are leaving our country and becoming top trainers overseas. That is an export that we do not need.
NZ Independent Coalition appreciates the urgent need to lift stakes, centralise racetracks, cut the number of race days, and supply tax cuts for breeders of broodmares, especially the hobby trainer and the smaller breeder. Currently, over one-third of broodmares, both thoroughbred and Standardbred, have disappeared. Breeders are finding they are getting less for their foals than the cost of servicing, growing the foal and getting it to the market. Virtually all in the industry agree the first requirement to save racing is that stakes be raised to attract owners, breeders, trainers and the general public.
NZ Independent Coalition supports legislation to;
• Lift stakes - minimum $15,000 weekdays, $30,000 Saturdays
• Centralise racetracks.
• Supply tax cuts for breeders of broodmares
• Deal with the leakage of revenue to offshore Betting Agencies
• Maintain racetracks to a safe and reliable level
• Introduce race fields legislation, and make the Racing Act fit for purpose
• Return more industry taxation to the codes
• Dramatically improve the appeal of racing to the widest audience including the implementation of family-friendly activities.

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