New Zealand plans to ban greyhound racing over animal welfare concerns

Greyhound industry group says government hasn’t recognised its work to address welfare issues that have plagued racing for years.

Greyhound racing has existed in New Zealand since the late 19th century. File pic: INPHO/Nick Elliott

New Zealand will ban greyhound racing from 2026 due to “unacceptably high” rates of injuries and deaths among the dogs, the government has announced.

Greyhound racing has existed in New Zealand since the late 19th century, but the industry has faced growing public criticism over its treatment of racing dogs in recent years. Multiple independent reports have found a high number of healthy dogs had been euthanised by their trainers or suffered serious injuries on the track, and in 2021, the then Labour government put the industry on notice to either make improvements or face closure.