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Our mission is to ensure the greyhounds are cared for and rehomed, the people in the industry are supported, and the industry is responsibly closed.
In December 2024, the Minister for Racing announced the decision to end commercial greyhound racing in New Zealand.
In April 2026, the New Zealand Parliament passed the Racing Industry (Closure of Greyhound Racing Industry) Amendment Act 2026 – ending commercial greyhound racing in New Zealand from 1 August 2026.
The legislation set up the Greyhound Racing Transition Agency, which operates as the Greyhound Transition Agency.
Our role is to manage the change between July 2026 to July 2029, with the potential for an extension, if needed, for up to two more years.
We are mainly funded by TAB New Zealand, using funds that would previously have gone into greyhound racing. We will produce an annual report, including financial statements and reports on the welfare and rehoming outcomes for greyhounds.
Find out more about the decision to end commercial greyhound racing in New Zealand:
We manage the Greyhound Rehoming Project – a coordinated, nationwide effort to match racing industry greyhounds with forever homes.
With commercial greyhound racing coming to an end on 31 July 2026, owners can choose to keep their racing industry greyhounds or to transfer them to the ownership of the Greyhound Transition Agency.
From 1 August 2026, the day after racing ends, we will take responsibility for caring for, and rehoming, the racing industry greyhounds whose owners have indicated that they wish to transfer the ownership to us.
Our greyhounds will be cared for by experienced greyhound carers.
They will then enter our rehoming preparation programme, where greyhound experts will train them to become pets in homes.
From there, our greyhounds will be placed with one of our trusted partner adoption agencies, who specialise in matching greyhounds with the right forever home.
Our rehoming preparation and adoption partners are established experts, who have been working to rehome racing industry greyhounds for a number of years
The Greyhound Rehoming Project will support them with resources and coordination, so they can scale up to meet the challenge.
It will lead a campaign to let people know what calm, loving pets greyhounds make and get New Zealanders involved in the effort to find them new homes– whether by adopting, fostering, volunteering, sponsoring or just spreading the word.
Find out more about the Greyhound Rehoming Project
We are working with partners to ensure the people who have been part o the greyhound racing industry are supported through the end of racing and beyond. Our partners include:
We are also working closely with owners, trainers and others in the racing industry, as they make decisions for their futures and the future of their greyhounds.
Find out more about the support for people
We’re working with the greyhound racing industry to oversee the closure.
As racing ends, we’ll manage the industry’s assets and functions, so the wind-down is smooth, timely and effective.
