The New Zealand greyhound racing industry has mounted a High Court challenge over plans to ban the sport next year

In a move to save the NZ greyhound racing industry, regulator GRNZ has launched a High Court challenge over the Government’s decision to ban the sport.

GRNZ has launched a High Court challenge over plans to ban the industry

THE New Zealand greyhound racing industry has launched a High Court challenge over the Government’s decision to ban the sport from July next year.

On Monday, Greyhound Racing New Zealand’s (GRNZ) legal team applied to the NZ High Court for a Judicial Review of the decision which has left thousands of industry participants facing the possibility of ruin.

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The statement of claim will argue that the decision “broke fundamental rules of law” and was “inadequately informed, prepared and consulted on” given there were only a few short steps from the Racing Minister seeking a report in June, 2024 on banning the sport before Cabinet decided to do so in December, 2024.

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The High Court application will say there was a “duty, promise and expectation” to consult with GRNZ on the decision which never happened, despite a history of constructive engagement on animal welfare.

At the heart of the argument is a Cabinet paper produced by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) which focused on animal welfare but is said to be selective in its use of reports from the Racing Integrity Board (RIB) which included no information from the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC).

GRNZ boss Edward Rennell

“For example, an RIB November 2024 report stated that GRNZ met welfare standards, often better than other animal sports or greyhound racing worldwide, but this information was left out of the DIA report and Cabinet paper,” the statement revealed.

In announcing plans of the High Court challenge, GRNZ CEO Edward Rennell said the way in which the decision was made was an “injustice to greyhound breeders, owners, trainers and all other industry participants, and was a dereliction of duty to New Zealanders.”

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“GRNZ has decided on a judicial review to expose the Government’s cavalier attitude to policymaking adversely impacting the livelihoods of thousands,” Rennell said.

“This was a Cabinet paper from public officials who had made up their minds, for a Prime Minister who had made up his mind and stated it publicly.

“The Government took its decision too lightly and too quickly, without due care and due diligence. It was a rushed and inadequate Cabinet paper.

“This is an injustice to greyhound breeders, owners, trainers and all other industry participants.

Deputy Prime Minister and Racing Minister Winston Peters Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

“Decisions that impact the lives and livelihoods of people must be extremely well articulated and evidenced.

“This decision was not, highlighting an emerging pattern of short-cutting in policymaking. New Zealand deserves better.”

GRNZ will be seeking interim relief from the High Court with an order to stop the Crown from continuing to work towards the ban while the judicial review is undertaken.

It will be argued that no further steps on the ban should be taken until the Court has had an opportunity to properly scrutinise the claim.

The fateful announcement last December by Racing Minister Winston Peters to ban the industry has left thousands of participants rallying in the face of incredible uncertainty.

Participants have continued to fight for a future and dispel the misinformation disseminated from anti-racing activists that support the ban.

Originally published as The New Zealand greyhound racing industry has mounted a High Court challenge over plans to ban the sport next year