SPCA trades integrity for political deals
Betraying the trust of New Zealanders
When the SPCA lobbied then-Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Racing, Winston Peters, to ban greyhound racing, the SPCA knew that Mr Peters might be concerned the SPCA would push for a ban on horse racing as well.
To ease those fears, the SPCA wrote to Mr Peters assuring him it would not call for a ban on horse racing, despite the rate of race-related deaths in horse racing being consistently higher than that of greyhound racing.
In doing so, the organisation traded its principles for political favour - sacrificing meaningful protections for horses to advance its stance on greyhounds.
Below is an excerpt of the letter SPCA sent to Minister Peters on 30 November 2023 signed by CEO, Todd Westwood and its Chief Scientific Advisor, Arnja Dale, made public under the Official Information Act.
“We were pleased to hear Prime Minister Luxon’s comments in the final leaders’ debate that now would be the time to end commercial greyhound racing. Following the industry being placed ‘on-notice’ in late 2021 over animal welfare concerns, we await a final decision from you as to whether the industry will close or continue under strict conditions.
SPCA advocates for the end of the greyhound racing industry. Note that our organisation does not call for an end to horse racing (with the exception of jumps races due to the higher risk of injuries and fatalities compared to flat races).”
SPCA would have New Zealanders believe it is an organisation free of speciesism. It is not. It is quick to criticise the greyhound racing industry, but is silent on the higher number of race-related deaths in horse racing.
It leverages neglected animals to fund the salaries of its expanding corporate headcount.
It hides the true scale of the companion animal crisis by refusing to disclose how many animals it euthanises each year - estimated to be many thousands.
This lack of transparency is especially troubling given the millions of taxpayer dollars SPCA receives to enforce the Animal Welfare Act 1999 through its Inspectorate - an area experts say it does with limited effectiveness.
Meanwhile, small independent shelters and rescue groups all over the country carry out the real work of caring for companion animals, without the funding SPCA receives.
In light of this, New Zealanders are urged to withhold donations to SPCA and demand transparency.
Share this message with everyone who values fairness, credibility, and trust.
Submissions on the bill to end greyhound racing are now open. Tell the Government you oppose the ban, the takeover of a lawful incorporated society, and the hypocrisy of banning local racing while continuing to import Australian races for New Zealanders to bet on.
Submissions close 9 January 2026.
More information on the process and background information can be found here.
