In brief
Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) announced that two chartered flights carrying up to 150 greyhounds will leave the country with the nationwide ban taking effect on Saturday. The federation will pay for the flight costs, while owners and trainers will cover other fees. Australian regulators classify the imported dogs as “companion animals” and will subject them to disease screening. New Zealand officials consider the relocation a last‑gasp of a dying industry and say most dogs will be re‑homed, not exported. The economic contrast is stark: the Australian industry was worth almost A$2 billion in 2022‑23, versus New Zealand’s $147 million. Earlier flights in April 2025 already moved 80 dogs and raise concerns about a growing re‑homing crisis.
At least two chartered flights carrying up to 150 greyhounds are set to fly to Australia’s eastern states as New Zealand’s ban on the sport takes effect.
Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) says several trainers are moving dogs to Australian tracks to continue racing; the federation will cover flight costs, while owners and trainers bear other expenses.
Australia classifies imported greyhounds as “companion animals” and will screen them for diseases such as rabies, according to its bio‑security rules.
New Zealand official Winston Peters criticised the relocation as an “end‑gasp action” of a dying industry, noting that most of the 1,300‑1,400 dogs will be re‑homed rather than exported.
Queensland and Victorian authorities say they are not aware of specific relocation plans, but the industry’s economic scale is vastly different: Australia’s greyhound industry was worth almost A$2 billion in 2022‑23, compared with New Zealand’s $147 million.
Former greyhound owners have already moved dozens of dogs to Australia, with 80 dogs sent in a charter flight in April 2025, logistics experts warn of a re‑homing crisis and the need for better regulations.
