Greyhound racing ends in Aotearoa as ban takes effect 1 August

Greyhound racing in New Zealand ends on 1 August 2026 when the Racing Industry (Closure of Greyhound Racing Industry) Amendment Bill takes legal effect. Racing Minister Winston Peters cited "unacceptably high" injury and death rates among racing greyhounds. The Government first flagged the closure in December 2024 after years of welfare concerns, including a 2021 review that put the industry on notice.