Greyhound racing - a survey of New Zealand opinion

Surveying a nationally representative sample, the questions looked at people’s awareness of the industry, their current attitudes and perceptions and whether they support or oppose greyhound racing.

After a decade of reports on the industry – each identifying widespread animal welfare issues –the Government took the unprecedented step of putting the industry ‘on notice’. A recommendation by Racing Minister Hon Kieran McAnulty to Cabinet is due at the end of this year outlining whether commercial greyhound racing has a future in our country. This decision rests on ‘social license’ and this survey has helped to establish they will have support to act, should they decide commercial greyhound racing has no future in our country.

• 74% would vote to ban in a referendum
• Only 9% believe racing greyhounds have a good life
• On balance, most New Zealanders think there are more negatives than positives to commercial greyhound racing
• 81% of people were not aware commercial greyhound racing is on notice

Based on this, do you think the industry should have a future in Aotearoa? Commercial greyhound racing only exists in seven countries, and it is time for New Zealand to get on the right side of history and make it a thing of the past.

After a decade of reports on the industry – each identifying widespread animal welfare issues – SPCA is calling for the end of commercial greyhound racing. We are asking New Zealanders to show the Racing Minister that the industry is out of chances.

*Survey information: Camorra Research were commissioned to undertake an independent, robust and representative analysis of sentiment towards commercial greyhound racing among the New Zealand population. They surveyed 1,327 respondents and ensured representation across age, gender and region. Read the research report here.