Greyhound Racing Transition Agency

29 May 2026

Commercial greyhound racing in New Zealand is ending on 31 July 2026. The Greyhound Racing Transition Agency (GRTA) has been established to manage the transition required by this closure. The relevant transition legislation was enacted on 09 April 2026, and the GRTA is now progressing implementation in line with its statutory responsibilities.

A major part of this transition is overseeing the rehoming of all remaining greyhounds and ensuring their welfare in the period following the industry’s closure. Greyhound owners will have the option of either retaining their greyhound(s) as pets or transferring ownership to GRTA for rehoming.

The principal purpose of this communication is to provide reassurance to veterinary practices, currently providing services to greyhounds, who wish to be involved with those being rehomed after 31 July 2026.
Currently, some veterinary services for greyhounds in the rehoming process are being funded by Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ). From 1 August 2026, the GRTA will be assuming full responsibility for ensuring that these services, as well as general veterinary requirements for greyhounds owned by GRTA, continue to be appropriately funded as part of the transition arrangements.

What does this mean for you?
If you currently have interactions with greyhound owners or rehoming organisations, it is intended that these arrangements will continue.

Further detail on how veterinary services will be managed, including contracting and operational arrangements, will be provided within the next month, well before the industry shutdown at the end of July 2026.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact [email protected]