TAB to have a say in ‘determining’ future of Auckland’s Avondale Racecourse
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
TAB New Zealand is now involved in discussions around the future of Avondale Racecourse in Auckland.
Racing is set to end at the racecourse in July, with decisions around the land’s future yet to be decided.
Avondale Jockey Club said on Tuesday it was involved in “collaborative work” with TAB NZ to “determine the future” of the land.
TAB New Zealand is set to have a say on the future of Auckland’s Avondale Racecourse with the announcement that the sports betting agency is now involved in a “joint evaluation” process.
Racing at the 138-year-old racecourse is scheduled to end in July, with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) set to consolidate racing in Auckland at Ellerslie and Pukekohe.
The Avondale Jockey Club (AJC) owns the 35-hectare site, with the inner sports fields leased to Auckland Council for community sport, including rugby, football, and cricket.
The racecourse is also home to the popular Avondale Markets, which have drawn thousands every Sunday since opening in the 1970s.
A decision on the racecourse’s future has yet to be made; however, on Tuesday, the Avondale Jockey Club announced it was involved in “collaborative work” with TAB NZ to “determine the future” of the land.
In a post on Facebook, the club said it was “committed to working with the wider racing industry to identify the most appropriate long-term outcome for the site”.
It said that a “full range of options” was under consideration, including long-term retention, medium-term retention, and immediate sale.
“Any decision will be carefully assessed to ensure it is well informed and reflects the interests of the club, its members, and the wider community.”
Of note, though, was the news that a TAB NZ advisory committee was now involved as part of a “joint evaluation process” supported by Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR).
The club said the process extended “beyond a simple valuation of the property”.
“Independent property specialists have been engaged to undertake a joint venture study, assessing a range of potential land use scenarios aimed at maximising long-term value for the racing industry while also delivering positive outcomes for the community.
“An AJC-appointed subcommittee will engage directly with stakeholders to ensure that all perspectives are appropriately considered,” the club said.
AJC acting president Andrew Skinner said the process provided a “clear pathway forward”.
“This process gives us confidence that we can fully assess the options and arrive at a resolution that recognises the significance of the Avondale Racecourse for both the industry and the community,” he said.
TAB NZ chairperson Bill Birnie said the approach reflected the importance of a “considered and evidence-based process”.
“We welcome the AJC’s willingness to engage constructively in what is understandably a complex and sensitive matter. This joint study will provide a robust foundation to support the next phase of decision-making,” he said.
Although no decision has been made yet, members of the Avondale community have already been lobbying to ensure that some form of green space is included in any future plans for the land.
In March, the Whau Local Board put forward a notice of motion calling on Auckland Council’s governing body to buy the land so it can be retained as a public asset.
The board called the acquisition of the racecourse a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity and requested that the governing body agree to allocate funding in the next annual budget to purchase the entire site to secure the open space.
The local board’s position has the backing of the Avondale Business Association (ABA), which told Stuff a move to buy the land was an “investment in economic resilience”.
On the news that TAB NZ was now involved, ABA chair Marcus Amosa was more cautious but looked forward to some engagement with the local community.
“On the face of it, this looks like a move in the right direction. But as the ABA has stated for many years now, our position remains that genuine engagement with the local community is essential to any outcome.”
Amosa said the ABA was “somewhat concerned” and wanted to understand more about why TAB NZ now “appeared” to be leading the process around the racecourse's future instead of NZTR.
“If the goal is genuinely to recognise the racecourse's significance to both the industry and the community, as AJC and TAB NZ themselves have stated, community representatives, especially the Avondale Racecourse Alliance and the Whau Local Board, need to be part of this process,” he said.
NZTR confirmed to Stuff it remained “actively engaged” in discussions regarding the future of the racecourse.
CEO Matt Ballesty said NZTR has been working with AJC for “some time” to consider the future of the racecourse and that a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in September 2024, establishing a framework for ongoing discussions and a “collaborative process” aimed at reaching an agreed outcome.
“Any proposal involving the future of the racecourse, including potential land transactions, structural arrangements or merger-related matters, would require NZTR's consideration and approval under the industry's governing legislation,” he said.
Ballesty said that NZTR is continuing to engage directly with key stakeholders, including Auckland Council, regarding the site’s future and the best outcome for racing and the wider community.
“Our focus remains on ensuring any future arrangements deliver an appropriate outcome for the racing industry while recognising the significance of the site to the West Auckland community and the Avondale Jockey Club,” he said.
Meanwhile, Auckland mayor Wayne Brown told Stuff he supported an “outcome which meets the needs of the current owners and the community”.
Brown said the racecourse’s future “should be considered” as part of the council’s Long Term Plan, and he has asked council staff to continue to work with the AJC and NZTR to “understand” the options available to council.
Stuff has approached ATR, AJC and TAB NZ for comment.