Government Plans To Seize Greyhounds Assets, Force People Out Of Work And Gift Millions To Horse Racing Laid Bare

The Government’s decision to proceed with its plan for closure of greyhound racing has been described as ‘heartless and brutal’ treatment of ordinary Kiwis.

The recommendations adopted by Cabinet include:

• Closure of an incorporated society and seizure of in excess $15m in Greyhound Racing New Zealand and Club assets.
• No compensation for the 1,054 full time employees who lose their jobs.
• Continuation of taking $223m ($48m profit) in bets annually on Australian greyhounds.

After the dogs are rehomed, all GRNZ assets and future profit from Australian greyhound betting will be transferred to horse racing.

Chief Executive Edward Rennell said:

“It’s a disdainful approach to lawmaking and a particularly brutal way to treat people. Their heartless disregard for destroying thousands of livelihoods of regional Kiwis to satisfy an urban elite and reward horse racing is frankly depressing.

“The truth is our people are honest, hard-working and look after their dogs. We meet all welfare requirements the Government makes of us, endorsed by their own Racing Integrity Board.

“They're up against a Government that just doesn’t care about the loss of a 150-year-old sport, lifestyles, and jobs. The Minister still won’t communicate or meet with us. We had to learn from news media interviews that this government won’t compensate the people whose incomes and investments they’re taking away.

“Instead, they will shut down an incorporated society that hasn’t done anything illegal, seize $15m of the sport’s hard-earned money, permit broadcasts of 48,000 Australian greyhound races and take $223m in bets. This shows the ban is not about welfare. Approximately $50m in annual betting revenue from Australian greyhounds will be gifted to the horse racing codes.

“This represents yet another rushed and misinformed decision from the Government — one of 87 they made in their first year, according to an analysis of Treasury reports.”

“We predicted in June the Government will claim this money will be used for rehoming dogs, which is of course the right thing to do. The release of the Ministerial Advisory Committee report confirms our suspicions of a deal being made to benefit horse racing at our expense.

“It’s a deeply cynical and hypocritical move by this government.”

Mr Rennell said the Government decided to shut down the sport without weighing the costs, not just on people, but on economic activity.

“The losses will be keenly felt in the provinces, particularly Waikato, the Central North Island and Canterbury, where greyhound racing is strongest. $160m may be a small proportion of GDP, but it’s a lot of money when the nation's regions can least afford it.

“The Government is reinstating live animal exports by sea, a trade that has fallen out of favour with most countries. It generates $300m annually so clearly, money matters if welfare standards can be met unless it's greyhound racing.”

About GRNZ

Greyhound Racing New Zealand is the governing body for greyhound racing in New Zealand and provides governance, support and assistance to the affiliated clubs in the sport of greyhound racing.

The decision to end greyhound racing has significant economic and social consequences. The sport provides 1,054 full-time equivalent jobs and contributed $159.2 million to the economy in FY23.

The Government announced on 10 December 2024, an intention to legislate to ban greyhound racing in New Zealand from 31 July 2026. Visit www.grnz.co.nz for more information.

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