SPCA questions Greyhound Racing New Zealand's judicial review into racing ban

GRNZ is also reportedly seeking a court order to halt the work of the Ministerial Advisory Committee, established to scale up rehoming of greyhounds during the wind-down period, until the judicial review has been heard.

SPCA is concerned this could lead to delays that will only create further uncertainty for industry participants and impede essential rehoming efforts for greyhounds.

SPCA’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Arnja Dale urges GRNZ to prioritise greyhound welfare.

“We believe that this latest move from the industry will do nothing except stall urgently needed rehoming efforts. We urge GRNZ to do the right thing and prioritise the welfare of these dogs over their own interests,” Dr Dale says.

“This latest move by GRNZ appears to be a last-ditch attempt to delay the inevitable phase out of an industry that has lost public support. SPCA remains committed to safeguarding the welfare of greyhounds throughout the transition and beyond and we look forward to seeing the ban formally enshrined in law. The dogs have waited long enough – it’s time to move forward.”

The Government’s announcement of a ban on greyhound racing was welcomed by SPCA, other animal welfare organisations and the public, following over a decade of independent reviews exposing serious concerns within the industry. The decision is a carefully considered and thoroughly analysed move to protect the welfare of greyhounds across New Zealand.

The greyhound racing industry was put on notice in 2021 after multiple independent reports, including the Robertson Review, highlighted ongoing issues with animal welfare, data recording, and transparency.

Despite repeated opportunities to reform, the industry failed to make necessary changes, prompting considered and decisive action from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Racing, Rt Hon Winston Peters, in 2024. Tragically, this racing season has been the deadliest yet claiming the lives of 13 dogs due to injuries or sudden death on the track, and the season is not over yet.

Emergency legislation prohibiting the killing of healthy greyhounds passed on the same afternoon as the ban on racing was announced and received unanimous cross-party support, underscoring widespread agreement on the need to protect greyhounds from further harm. Once legislation to establish the ban passes its first reading in Parliament, all stakeholders, including GRNZ and industry participants, will have the opportunity to contribute to the process through the public consultation phase.

Importantly, public sentiment is strongly aligned with an end to greyhound racing in New Zealand. Recent polling reveals that three-quarters of New Zealanders would support a ban on greyhound racing in a referendum, sending a strong message – this industry has lost its social license to operate.