The Racing Industry (Closure of Greyhound Racing Industry) Amendment Act 2026 removed greyhound racing as a recognised racing code under the Racing Industry Act 2020. Greyhound racing is no longer a permitted form of racing under New Zealand law, and TAB New Zealand is prohibited from issuing betting licences to greyhound racing clubs. As a result, commercial greyhound racing and associated wagering are now unlawful.

Legislation was also introduced in December 2024 to protect greyhounds from unnecessary euthanasia following the announcement of the Government’s decision to ban greyhound racing. Under the Racing Industry Act 2020, it is a criminal offence to intentionally destroy, or knowingly procure the destruction of, a 'specified greyhound' (including racing and registered greyhounds), except where euthanasia is carried out by a veterinarian under specific, humane medical circumstances.

The ban followed over a decade of independent reviews, highlighting significant animal welfare issues on and off the racetrack and a lack of transparency and accountability from the industry.

SPCA supports rehoming initiatives that prioritise greyhound welfare.

The Transition Agency was established by the Government to oversee the rehoming of greyhounds.

Greyhounds are rehomed through private rehoming or through the Transition Agency rehoming pathways. While awaiting rehoming, they are held in kennels previously used to house racing greyhounds.

Traceability is fundamental to responsible rehoming. SPCA advocates for robust systems to trace greyhounds until they are successfully rehomed and verify rehoming details. SPCA considers that additional scrutiny is required in relation to private rehoming, whereby owners of greyhounds kept for racing directly place greyhounds in companion homes. There have been multiple anomalies in the details of private rehoming, with the fate of the dogs involved uncertain.

Rehoming facilities should screen dogs for behavioural problems and monitor results to investigate patterns which may indicate risk factors which could be addressed.

SPCA advocates for scaling up of rehoming efforts to minimise the time greyhounds spend in rehoming facilities and to ensure greyhounds find suitable homes.

We encourage the Transition Agency to accept offers of assistance from reputable, experienced rehoming and fostering organisations, including SPCA.

Where greyhounds are rehomed overseas, SPCA recommends that dogs are assessed for suitability for travel and that the shortest and most direct flights are used.

SPCA advocates that greyhound housing must provide sufficient space and enrichment items to provide the dogs with a Good Life where they experience positive welfare and their physical, health and behavioural needs are met.

Independent kennel visits are required to ensure compliance with all relevant animal welfare guidelines, and government codes of welfare and regulations. This includes regular, rigorous and independent audits of animal welfare in rehoming facilities.

SPCA supports the continuation of the greyhound breed.

Many breeds have successfully transitioned away from their original working or racing roles. As with other dog breeds, we consider that breeding must occur in a responsible and welfare-focused manner.

SPCA advocates that all greyhounds should be desexed after leaving the racing industry, with exemptions for registered breeders who intend to produce greyhounds specifically for companionship or showing.

SPCA opposes exporting greyhounds from New Zealand to jurisdictions where they may continue to be raced or bred for racing.

Greyhound racing is inherently dangerous. Running at high speeds around oval tracks places immense strain on a greyhound's body, leading to serious injuries including bone fractures, muscle tears and catastrophic fatal injuries. The risk of injury is particularly high where the track bends as dogs bunch together and frequently collide.

In the four countries that still have commercial greyhound racing industries (Australia, Ireland, the UK, and the USA) the industry continues to face scrutiny because of serious welfare concerns on and off the track. Off the track welfare issues include dogs being subjected to prolonged confinement, inadequate housing, lack of socialisation, exposure to banned and illegal substances, and breeding more dogs than can be responsibly rehomed.

Once a greyhound leaves New Zealand for racing, or breeding for racing, their welfare and fate can no longer be assured in the destination country. There is also a risk that greyhounds may be further exported to countries with poorer welfare standards.

Exporting greyhounds from New Zealand for racing would also place additional pressure on rehoming systems in destination countries.