Greyhound Racing New Zealand challenges ban on the sport

The body says the ban was inadequately informed, prepared and consulted on.

New Zealand.- Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) has submitted a legal challenge calling for a High Court judicial review of the government’s decision to ban greyhound racing. It said the decision, due to be imposed from July 31, 2026, broke “fundamental rules of law” and was inadequately informed, prepared and consulted on.

The GRNZ argued that there had been only “a few short steps” from the minister for racing Winston Peters seeking a report on banning the sport in June to the Cabinet doing so in December. It is seeking interim relief to stop the ban advancing while the judicial review is undertaken.

It said: “The Cabinet paper produced by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) focused on animal welfare but was selective in its use of reports from the Racing Integrity Board (RIB) and included no information from the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC). For example, a RIB November 2024 report stated that GRNZ met welfare standards, often better than other animal sports or greyhound racing worldwide, but this information was left out of the DIA report and Cabinet paper.”

GRNZ CEO Edward Rennell said: “The organisation had decided on a judicial review to expose the Government’s cavalier attitude to policymaking adversely impacting the livelihoods of thousands. This was a Cabinet paper from public officials who had made up their minds, for a Prime Minister who had made up his mind and stated it publicly.

“The Government took its decision too lightly and too quickly, without due care and due diligence. It was a rushed and inadequate Cabinet paper. This is an injustice to greyhound breeders, owners, trainers and all other industry participants, as well as a dereliction of duty to New Zealanders.

“Decisions that impact the lives and livelihoods of people must be extremely well articulated and evidenced. This decision was not, highlighting an emerging pattern of short-cutting in policymaking. New Zealand deserves better.”

A former trainer has warned that the decision to ban greyhound racing could have severe consequences for the economy in Southland. Bronwyn Eade, secretary-manager of Southland Greyhound Racing, said the ban could result in a AU$9m loss as owners and trainers support local businesses, hotels and restaurants when they visit Invercargill for racing events. Other beneficiaries industry include veterinarians, owners, trainers the Ascot Park Consortium and 11 track staff.