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Greyhound racing

Our work Animals in Aotearoa Greyhound racing
Justice for greyhounds!

Greyhound racing is officially banned in New Zealand! 

In April 2026, New Zealand’s government passed legislation that will end greyhound racing from the 1st of August this year.

Here’s the lowdown…

Since 2013, three independent reviews of the greyhound racing revealed clear evidence of serious animal welfare harms, ultimately eroding the social license of the industry.

In 2024, the government announced a twenty-month phase-out of greyhound racing to allow the industry time to wind down operations, and focus on rehoming dogs. The recent law change confirms that Greyhound Racing will end on August 1st, 2026.

These wins don’t happen in a vacuum; they happen because of relentless and strategic advocacy from the Animal Rights movement. Every petition, every march, every submission, every protest, and every voice that exposed the cruelty these dogs faced, ultimately ended greyhound racing, for good.

Let this be yet another reminder of what we can achieve together… for animals.

Our work isn’t done yet

While the announcement of the ban is a significant milestone, greyhounds remain at risk during the phase-out period.

Since 10 December 2024, 1001 greyhounds have been injured, 129 greyhounds suffered fractures, and 19 greyhounds have died due to racing-related incidents.*

Every injury and death is a stark reminder of why this ban is necessary. SAFE will remain vigilant in holding the industry accountable until greyhound racing is consigned to history.

*Source: Greyhound Racing New Zealand (as at 24 May 2026)

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Thank you!

This momentous achievement would not have been possible without you—our passionate supporters. Your dedication, generosity, and unwavering belief in justice for greyhounds has made this victory possible.

Together, we are reshaping Aotearoa into a kinder, more compassionate place for animals. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with us.

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Frequently asked questions

On December 10, 2024, Racing Minister Winston Peters announced that greyhound racing in New Zealand will be banned after a 20-month phase-out period. Racing is expected to cease from August 1, 2026. 

This landmark decision closes the door on a long legacy of cruelty within the greyhound racing industry, which has seen thousands of dogs maimed and killed in the name of gambling profits.

There are around 3,000 greyhounds in the racing industry, all of whom are at risk of injury, mistreatment, and death until racing is officially banned. Greyhound racing happens year-round in Aotearoa, and there are currently seven tracks throughout the country:

  • Manukau Stadium (Auckland)
  • Cambridge Raceway (Waikato)
  • Hatrick Raceway (Wanganui) and Wanganui Straight Track
  • Manuwatu Raceway (Palmerston North)
  • Addington Raceway (Christchurch)
  • Ascot Park Raceway (Southland)

Multiple investigations into the industry reveal countless issues beyond injuries, including poor kennel conditions and methamphetamine exposure. Even under intense scrutiny, the industry has repeatedly failed to demonstrate that they can prioritise the health and welfare of dogs.

Until the recent ban, New Zealand was one of only five countries to still allow commercial dog racing.

Greyhounds are well known for being the fastest dogs on the planet ‒ reaching speeds of up to almost 70 kilometres per hour. Their long, lean bodies carry little fat, which is why you‘ll sometimes see them wearing specially made greyhound pyjamas in winter. Sadly, it’s for this reason that the racing industry uses these placid, gentle dogs.

Greyhound racing exists because of a drive for gambling profits, not because greyhounds love to race.

In August 2021, SAFE and the Greyhound Protection League of New Zealand presented a 38,000-signature petition calling for a ban on greyhound racing in Aotearoa. An independent poll showed that 74% of New Zealanders would vote to ban greyhound racing in a referendum. Corporate sponsorships are also dwindling, with Ray White, Toyota NZ, Ricoh, First Security and the Motor Trade Association all withdrawing their support of the industry.

This public sentiment is mirrored by clear political consensus. The Green Party has long championed a ban and in March 2024, the Labour Party officially endorsed the call to end greyhound racing. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has also acknowledged that the industry should be brought to an end. Ultimately, the National-NZ First-ACT coalition government formally announced an end to greyhound racing after the industry consistently failed to improve animal welfare.

While greyhound racing continues in Australia, Ireland, and parts of the UK, with the USA just down to two tracks in West Virginia,  the global movement to protect greyhounds is gaining momentum.

In February 2025 Wales became the first UK nation to outlaw greyhound racing, in August, The Tasmanian government (Australia) announced they will cease funding for greyhound racing by 2029, effectively winding up the industry, and in September, Scotland passed a bill to ban greyhound racing citing with countries such as Wales and also New Zealand taking action on greyhound racing “we can’t let Scotland fall behind the pack”.

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