WHANGANUI, New Zealand — New Zealand’s greyhound racing industry came to an end Friday evening as the final commercial event was held at Hatrick Raceway, marking the close of a sport with more than 150 years of history in the country. The event drew hundreds of spectators to the modest suburban track in the riverside city of Whanganui, where intermittent rain and gusty winds accompanied the dozen scheduled races.
Despite the closure of domestic racing, betting on international greyhound races will remain legal within New Zealand. The ban places New Zealand among a shrinking group of countries to end the commercial greyhound racing industry, which continues to operate legally only in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia.
The government’s decision represents a significant shift, with new challenges ahead involving the welfare of the dogs, support for industry workers, and the management of a sport deeply embedded in certain communities. According to the Greyhound Transition Agency (GTA), roughly 1,000 people—including trainers, kennel staff, breeders, and officials—will be affected by the shutdown.
The government has pledged financial and social support during the transition, allocating up to 60 million New Zealand dollars (approximately $35 million) over three years. Much of this funding will be directed toward rehoming about 1,400 greyhounds previously involved in racing. Additional assistance will include retraining programs, mental health services, and compensation for those impacted by the closure.
The ban follows years of advocacy from animal welfare groups and multiple independent reviews conducted over the past decade, which identified ongoing, systemic animal welfare concerns. Dr. Arnja Dale of New Zealand’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) highlighted issues such as "persistent, systemic animal welfare issues on and off track," including high rates of injuries and deaths, exposure to banned substances, and inadequate kennel conditions. Since the ban was announced in December 2024, 22 greyhounds have died or been euthanized due to race-day injuries, according to Dr. Dale.
Industry representatives have criticized the ban, arguing that welfare standards had improved and emphasizing the economic and social impact on communities reliant on the sport. Craig Roberts, director of Greyhound Racing New Zealand and a lifelong trainer, described the decision as “life-changing” and announced plans to relocate to Australia to continue his career. “I’m leaving my close family contacts, especially with my grandkids,” he said.
At the final races in Whanganui, emotions ran high among trainers and owners. As the night wore on, several participants were seen in tears while preparing dogs for their last runs. The closing race was met with applause and cheers, after which attendees gathered in small groups to share their reflections. The end of greyhound racing in New Zealand thus concluded with a mixture of sorrow and solidarity, underscoring the profound impact of the industry’s closure on those involved.