Racing Minister Winston Peters has announced government plans to ban Greyhound racing in New Zealand.
It is said that the minister issued a statement on Tuesday that this decision was not taken lightly and was taken to protect the welfare of the racing dogs.
The minister and racing industry supporters have reportedly been considering the future of greyhound racing since earlier this year.
Many anti-greyhound racing activists believed his love of racing would keep the industry going, so the announcement is likely to come as a shock to the industry and opponents alike.
Peters said the greyhound industry has focused on animal welfare for years.
There have been three reviews of the industry in the last decade, all of which have recommended these changes.
