In brief
New Zealand’s ban on greyhound racing, effective from Saturday, has prompted trainers and owners to move their dogs to Australia, where the sport remains legal. Two chartered flights are set to carry up to 150 greyhounds to Queensland and other eastern states. While Australian authorities treat the arrivals as companion animals and screen for disease, the move is seen by some as a final gasp of a dying industry. The transition has sparked debate over animal welfare and the capacity of Australian kennels to host an influx of racing dogs.
At least two chartered flights carrying up to 150 greyhounds are set to land in Australia’s eastern states as New Zealand’s new ban on racing takes effect.
Climber trainers in New Zealand, faced with a ban announced in December 2024 and legislated in April, have begun moving their dogs eastward in hopes of continuing their careers abroad. The ban, effective Saturday, will see roughly 1,400 racing dogs retire in New Zealand and require new homes.
Australian authorities say that greyhounds arriving from New Zealand are classed as "companion animals" and will undergo screening for diseases such as rabies. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry explained that import requirements are driven by biosecurity risk, not the animal’s intended use.
New Zealand’s Racing Minister Winston Peters criticised the relocation plans as the "last gasp actions of a dying industry," stressing that the sport lost its social licence after reviews found fault with injury and death rates. An official added that most dogs will be rehomed over the next few years.
Greyhound Racing New Zealand chief executive Edward Rennell said a handful of trainers have expressed interest in relocating to Australia. While the organization will cover flight costs, owners and trainers would pay other expenses. Rennell noted that some dogs would continue training and racing in Australia, though they may be less competitive due to a pause in New Zealand breeding.
Australia’s racing industry, valued at almost A$2 bn in 2022‑23, dwarfs New Zealand’s $147 m total. The Greyhound Transition Agency, managing NZ’s industry closure, confirmed that arrangements are being made to transfer some dogs to Australia, but declined to comment further.
Previously, 80 dogs were already exported from New Zealand to Queensland on a chartered flight in April 2025. Trainers cite the allure of new facilities as a motivating factor, though concerns remain over loopholes that allow continued dog exports. Australia’s ACT and Tasmania are phasing out racing, while the UK and US have also passed bans or restrictions.
With the ban in New Zealand imminent, the relocation of greyhounds to Australia highlights broader debates over animal welfare, regulation and the future of racing sports across the globe.
