Greyhounds bound for Australia as New Zealand racing ban takes effect

At least two chartered flights carrying up to 150 greyhounds are set to fly to Australia's eastern states, as a New Zealand ban on the sport comes into effect.

Several greyhound trainers in New Zealand are responding to a new ban by moving their dogs to Australia with plans to continue in the sport, governing body Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) told the BBC.

While the ban across New Zealand takes effect on Saturday, the practice remains legal almost everywhere in Australia.

The ban was first announced in December 2024, and legislated in April. Approximately 1,400 greyhounds will retire in New Zealand under the ban and require rehoming.

Australian authorities say that greyhounds arriving from New Zealand are classed as "companion animals" which will undergo screening for diseases such as rabies.

"Australia's import requirements for dogs are based on biosecurity risk, not the intended use of the animal," Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry told a Senate inquiry in June.

A spokesperson for New Zealand's Racing Minister Winston Peters called the plans to relocate the dogs "the last gasp actions of a dying industry".

Peters said the dog racing industry had "lost its social licence" after multiple reviews concluded that dog and injury death rates "remain unacceptably high", a conclusion that GRNZ disputed.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Peters said: "We understand a small number of dogs are being exported to Australia, but the vast majority (1,300 to 1,400) will be rehomed over the next couple of years."

"This is a one-off final act rather than an ongoing issue," the spokesperson added.

GRNZ Edward Rennell chief executive told the BBC that between six and 10 trainers have expressed interest in relocating to Australia, with most New Zealand citizens not requiring a special visa to live in Australia. Details would be finalised "over the next two weeks", he said.

Rennell said "the details aren't locked in" but that his organisation would cover the full cost of the flights, while other costs would be borne by owners and trainers.

"We will be supporting people that are looking to transfer over," Rennell said.

He said some of the dogs will continue training and racing in Australia, although he noted they are likely to be less competitive in professional racing because breeding has largely paused in New Zealand since the ban was announced 18 months ago.

Kiwis are still able to bet on Australian greyhound racing, which has a larger commercial presence.

Queensland, New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria's industries were collectively worth almost A$2bn (£1.04bn; $1.4m) in 2022-23, which dwarfed New Zealand's $147m total, according to the latest figures published by Greyhounds Australasia.

The dedicated body overseeing the closure of the industry in New Zealand, the Greyhound Transition Agency told the BBC: "We understand that arrangements are being made to relocate some dogs to Australia for racing purposes.

"However, we are not in a position to comment further on these arrangements."

New Zealand announced the greyhound racing ban following three independent reviews into the sport in 2013, 2017 and 2021.

"We acknowledge the industry made advances in safety, but the high injury and death rates persisted with no sign of improvement," Peters's spokesperson added.

In response, Rennell told the BBC: "I will go to my grave saying that the greyhound welfare standards are the best of any racing code in New Zealand."

GRNZ has eyed kennels across eastern Australia as destinations for New Zealand's racing dogs.

A spokesperson for the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission said the agency "has been advised by Greyhound Racing New Zealand of the arrival of racing greyhounds and the potential relocation of industry participants from New Zealand into Queensland".

NSW and Victorian officials said they were not aware of specific relocation plans within their states, noting that greyhounds are permitted to travel across jurisdictions in Australia in New Zealand.

Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry did not respond to a request to make further comment.