SPCA is thrilled with the announcement from Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters to end greyhound racing in New Zealand, with a transition period to allow greyhounds currently in the industry to be responsibly placed in loving homes.

SPCA wholeheartedly thanks Deputy Prime Minister Peters for recognising the inherent risk to greyhound welfare that comes from racing and congratulates him on his courage in committing to end this cruel sport. SPCA also favours a fair and just transition for all those involved in the industry (people and animals) and looks forward to working with GRNZ and other stakeholders to ensure positive outcomes and traceability of every dog as they exit the racing industry.

For years we tried to work the industry to improve welfare outcomes for greyhounds. However, we ultimately reached the conclusion that the only way to prevent the inherent welfare harms associated with commercial greyhound racing is to end the practice entirely. It is encouraging to know that 75% of New Zealanders and the New Zealand Government share this view.

The industry is to close before the start of the 1 August 2026/2027 racing season, giving a generous 20 month transition period to allow for the wind-down, people to exit the industry and dogs to be rehomed. Greyhounds make wonderful pet dogs and SPCA will work with GRNZ and the stakeholder rehoming coalition during the transition period to support responsible rehoming and help dogs find loving homes as they exit the racing industry.

Animal welfare issues include: breeding practices that lead to poor welfare outcomes; physical overexertion, distress or injuries that result from excessive demands being placed upon the animals during racing or training; inadequate socialisation, housing and environmental enrichment; poor nutrition; positive tests for banned or unregistered substances; the fate of unwanted greyhounds and the difficulties in rehoming greyhounds once their racing career is over.

SPCA has worked for years with the industry in an attempt to improve welfare outcomes for greyhounds, including racing dogs and dogs who are retired or never race. However the Greyhound Racing Industry in New Zealand has a demonstrated history of being unwilling or unable to adequately address the significant animal welfare concerns.

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has announced a ban on greyhound racing in New Zealand!

The Minister of Racing has announced that the greyhound racing industry will shut down after a twenty-month transition period that will allow dogs to be rehomed and people to exit the business. The 2026/2027 greyhound racing season will not go ahead.

2024 New survey shows sustained public support for an end to greyhound racing in New Zealand. SPCA and other animal organisations commit to facilitating rehoming of greyhounds in the racing industry should greyhound racing be banned

2023 Decision on the future of commercial greyhound racing delayed until after the election, pushing the decision further into the future while greyhounds continue to suffer.

2022 SPCA appeals to the public to help end commercial greyhound racing in New Zealand. Results of a survey on the NZ public’s opinion of commercial greyhound racing, commissioned by SPCA, show strong support for a ban. This survey has been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

2021 Robertson Review released and Racing Minister puts greyhound racing on notice

The Robertson review was released and highlighted ongoing concerns related to data recording, transparency, and animal welfare. The Racing Minister has placed the industry 'on notice', giving the greyhound racing industry until the end of 2022 to demonstrate meaningful improvement in areas of concern or face closure.

2021 Racing Minster, Grant Robertson, announces third independent review into industry

Due to GRNZ’s refusal to continue providing progress reports, and multiple high profile incidents resulting in injury or deaths to racing greyhounds, the Government announced the third independent review into the industry, led by Sir Bruce Robertson.

2020 Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) ends reporting of progress to Government

GRNZ chose to stop reporting progress against the Hansen Report’s recommendation to the Government, declaring all recommendations had been “successfully implemented”. The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee expressed concerns that GRNZ had provided insufficient information to support this decision, prompting Ministers Robertson and Whaitiri to request GRNZ continue reporting.

2017 Hansen Report

SPCA spoke with Hon. Rodney Hansen to flag welfare concerns as part of the second review into the greyhound racing industry. Hansen noted in his review, “Greyhound racing is inherently dangerous” but advised a number of recommendations to mitigate some welfare concerns.

2013 WHK report published

The first independent review of animal welfare in the greyhound racing industry. This report highlighted multiple animal welfare concerns, with a particular focus on the high levels of euthanasia due to lack of population management concerns and injuries.