Peters says he 'knows more' about greyhound racing than PM

Wednesday, 27 March 2024

Racing Minister Winston Peters says he “knows more” about greyhound racing than Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, after Luxon reiterated he wanted the industry banned.

Peters has not confirmed he intends to consider a ban of the greyhound racing industry, which has faced years of reviews into problems with welfare and safety of racing dogs.

The three-time racing minister has sought official advice on the future of the industry, and on recent problems at an Auckland race track, in Manukau, which has been closed due to a “spike” in injuries, and the death of a dog.

Asked on Wednesday if Luxon was premature to talk of banning the industry, Peters said: 'Well, he's got a minister now who knows more about it than he does, and I'm on the case, alright?“

On Monday Luxon said he maintained his position, announced during the heat of a televised leaders’ debate two days out from the election, that greyhound racing should be banned.

But he was yet to discuss this with Peters, a known supporter of the racing industry.

Peters said he was having “a lot of work” being done on the current circumstance of the greyhound racing industry and expected to have an outcome in three weeks’ time.

Asked if he was considering a ban, he said: 'No, look, we had the Hansen report when I was last in that ministry. We are looking at the current circumstance or the Auckland circumstance and what looks like a spike in injuries.

'The integrity of the industry is something we established by way of institutionalising parts of it in 2020. But we are seriously looking at all aspects of it.“

Animal welfare organisation SAFE said on Friday the “appalling” deaths of three greyhounds during one week this month, including the death of Thrilling Spiral on the Manukau Stadium track, demonstrated the urgent need for a ban.

Greyhound Racing NZ, which has closed the Manukau race track for five weeks for a safety review, has confirmed the deaths but said the safety and welfare of the dogs has greatly improved and the industry “deserves to maintain its social licence to operate”.

Multiple reviews of greyhound racing in recent years have sounded the alarm about animal welfare practices and, in May 2023, then-racing minister Kieran McAnulty said a Racing Integrity Board report showed “the status quo is no longer viable and we are faced with two options: continue under strict conditions or closure”.

McAnulty did not take action before the election.