Summarised by Centrist
Greyhound Racing New Zealand is challenging the government’s decision to ban the sport, filing a High Court judicial review that accuses officials of ignoring due process and selectively presenting welfare data to Cabinet.
The ban, announced by Racing Minister Winston Peters in December, is set to take effect in July 2026. GRNZ says the decision was rushed and inadequately consulted.
Chief executive Edward Rennell told the Herald the move is “not about slowing things down” but about ensuring the law was properly followed.
“We think Mr Peters has been the best Racing Minister this country has had, but we believe on this matter he was poorly advised,” Rennell said.
The legal filing claims the Cabinet paper relied heavily on Department of Internal Affairs reports while omitting favourable assessments from the Racing Integrity Board.
But greyhound welfare activists say the legal challenge is a last-ditch attempt to delay a long-overdue shutdown. Greyhound Protection League spokesman Aaron Cross called it “a futile waste of time and money,” accusing GRNZ of denial and disregard for public sentiment.
“The industry has done itself no favours,” Cross said, pointing to reviews dating back over a decade. “There is a strong culture of denial in greyhound racing… and all this wasteful nonsense will achieve is to prove, yet again, they are out of touch.”
Crown Law has received the application and the Minister’s office declined further comment while proceedings are underway.
