Greyhound Racing Set to Be Phased Out by 2026: New Zealand Parliament Acts on Welfare Concerns

In a landmark decision, the New Zealand government has announced its intention to phase out greyhound racing by August 1, 2026. The move follows years of scrutiny over animal welfare concerns and declining public support for the sport. The Racing Industry (Unlawful Destruction of Specified Greyhounds) Amendment Bill was introduced in Parliament with unanimous backing from all parties, marking a significant step towards reforming an industry under intense criticism.

A Difficult Decision: The decision to close greyhound racing was announced by Rt Hon Winston Peters, Minister for Racing. Despite the economic implications affecting approximately 1,054 individuals directly or indirectly supported by the industry across six tracks nationwide, Peters emphasized that persistent animal welfare concerns necessitated this action. Successive reviews over the past decade consistently highlighted issues within the industry, culminating in today's decision.

Persistent Welfare Concerns: The call to end greyhound racing has been driven by ongoing reports of high injury rates among racehounds and poor living conditions. A recent poll commissioned by the SPCA indicated that 75% of New Zealanders would support ending greyhound racing in a referendum, reflecting widespread public sentiment against the sport.

A Unified Political Front: The bill received unanimous support across political lines, demonstrating a rare consensus on animal welfare issues. Labour's racing spokesperson, Tangi Utikere, praised the decision as humane and ethically sound while acknowledging the impact on those whose livelihoods depend on the industry. The Green Party’s Steve Abel commended the government for heeding advocacy from animal welfare experts, noting that despite improvements by Greyhound Racing New Zealand, injury rates remained unacceptably high.

Transition and Rehoming Efforts: The legislation aims to ensure a humane transition for the approximately 2,900 greyhounds currently in racing. The bill includes measures to prevent the euthanasia of healthy dogs solely due to their diminished economic value following the industry's closure. A ministerial advisory committee has been established to oversee rehoming efforts and provide support to those impacted by the shutdown.

Industry Response: Edward Rennell, representing Greyhound Racing New Zealand, acknowledged recent improvements in welfare standards but admitted that these were insufficient to regain public trust completely. Despite some positive changes, such as reduced deaths on tracks, critics argue that more substantial reforms are necessary.

Public Reaction: The decision has been met with approval from animal rights groups and the general public, who view it as a long-overdue step toward ethical treatment of animals. Those within the industry face uncertainty about their future but recognize the necessity for change.

As Parliament moves forward with this legislation under urgency to ensure immediate protections for greyhounds, the focus is on implementing a structured transition plan that prioritizes animal welfare and supports affected workers. This legislative action represents not only an end to greyhound racing in New Zealand but also a broader commitment to upholding humane standards across all sectors of society.

In summary, while economic challenges loom over this decision, the overarching message from Parliament is clear: animal welfare must be prioritized, and this bill sets the stage for a more compassionate future.