High Court Rejects Request to Halt Greyhound Racing Ban: Minister's Decision Upheld
The High Court in Wellington has rejected a request to halt the implementation of the ban on greyhound racing until a judicial review is completed. Racing Minister Winston Peters announced the ban on the sport in 2026. The Greyhound Racing Association (GRA) had argued that the ban would negatively impact the livelihoods of over 1000 people and that the minister did not consult with the Racing Integrity Board (RIB) or consider measures to improve animal welfare in the industry. However, Justice Dale La Hood ruled that there was no legal requirement for the minister to consult with the RIB and that the ban was not being unlawfully implemented. The GRA's case for delaying the ban was deemed weak, with no evidence to suggest that delaying the process would have a significant impact on the consequences of the ban.