Racing
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Minister for Racing David Bennett has introduced the Racing Amendment Bill into Parliament.

The Bill modernises racing and sports betting in New Zealand, amending the Racing Act 2003.

“These changes make it possible to get a return for the information received from betting on New Zealand events and also bets placed by New Zealanders,” Mr Bennett says.

This Bill seeks to return money into New Zealand through information and consumption charges from offshore betting operators.

David Bennett Racing
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Minister for Racing David Bennett has appointed Bill Birnie to the New Zealand Racing Board (NZRB).

“It’s a pleasure to welcome Bill Birnie to the NZRB. Mr Birnie brings a lot of corporate governance experience and will add value to the NZRB,” Mr Bennett says.

David Bennett Racing
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An upgrade to Dunedin’s racecourse ambulance track is amongst the 19 projects the Government has recently contributed towards in racecourse safety, Racing Minister David Bennett announced today.

The various projects, which spanned from Whangarei to Roxburgh, received $313,055 in grants towards improving racecourse safety from the Racing Safety Development Fund.

Projects across New Zealand included track resurfacing, equine pool upgrades, and building construction to help make racecourses safer.

David Bennett Racing
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Racing Minister Nathan Guy has today announced plans to amend the Racing Act 2003 and enable the introduction of charges for offshore betting operators.    

“These changes will help create a more level playing field for the TAB in the face of offshore competition, and ensure that offshore operators pay their fair share back to our communities,” says Mr Guy.  

“By law, the New Zealand Racing Board (NZRB) is the only New Zealand-based provider of racing and sports betting via the TAB.

Nathan Guy Racing
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The next round of applications for the Racing Safety Development Fund opens tomorrow, Racing Minister Nathan Guy has announced today.

“There is $313,055 available for allocation in this round which opens on 15 February and closes on 31 March 2017,” says Mr Guy.

“The fund supports projects around the country for improving racecourse health and safety. In the past this has included improvements for safety running rails, irrigation and drainage and grandstand repairs.

Nathan Guy Racing
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Racing Minister Nathan Guy has announced new funding of $697,193 from the latest round of the Racing Safety Development Fund today, along with reappointing Penny Mudford as Chair of the group.

The grants are made available from the Racing Safety Development Fund which provides $1 million annually to racecourse safety across two funding rounds. Funding is matched dollar-for-dollar with contributions from racing clubs.

Nathan Guy Racing
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The next round of applications for the Racing Safety Development Fund is now open, says Racing Minister Nathan Guy.

A total of $1 million is available from the fund over two funding rounds this financial year.

“The fund supports projects around the country for improving racecourse health and safety standards. This has included improvements for safety running rails, irrigation and drainage, lighting upgrades, and grandstand repairs,” says Mr Guy.

Nathan Guy Racing
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A total of $384,149 will be invested in 20 projects to improve safety and development at racecourses, Racing Minister Nathan Guy has announced today.

The funding comes from the Racing Safety Development Fund which provides $1 million annually to racecourse safety and development across two funding rounds.

“This year’s second funding round has supported a wide range of projects including track redevelopment, new safety fencing, lift installation and greyhound running rails,” says Mr Guy.

Nathan Guy Racing
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Racing Minister Nathan Guy is seeking public feedback on proposed changes to the Racing Act designed to ensure returns from betting continue to support New Zealand racing and sport organisations.

“A Working Group has found that a growing number of New Zealanders are gambling through offshore betting agencies, which raises a number of issues.

“In 2015, about 40,000 New Zealanders turned over $518 million offshore with $58 million in losses – this represents potential lost revenue of up to $45 million for local racing and sports organisations.

Nathan Guy Racing
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The next round of applications for the Racing Safety Development Fund has now opened, says Racing Minister Nathan Guy.

A total of $381,179 is available in this second round of funding after $618,821 was allocated in the first round.

“The fund supports projects around the country for improving racecourse health and safety standards,” says Mr Guy.

“In the past this has included improvements for safety running rails, irrigation and drainage, swabbing boxes, and grandstand repairs.

Nathan Guy Racing
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Good morning everyone. It is always a pleasure to attend the New Zealand Racing Board’s AGM and to be with the people who have committed so much to this great industry.

I would like to acknowledge your Chair, Glenda Hughes, and your Chief Executive Officer, John Allen. Thank you for inviting me to speak. John, I’m sure you have found your first eight months at the helm of the New Zealand Racing Board exciting and challenging.

I would also like to acknowledge the chairs and chief executives of the three racing bodies:

Nathan Guy Racing
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A total of $618,421 will be invested in 26 projects to improve safety and development at racecourses, Racing Minister Nathan Guy has announced today.

The funding comes from the Racing Safety Development Fund which provides $1 million annually to racecourse safety and development across two funding rounds.

“This year’s first funding round has supported a wide range of infrastructure projects including track irrigation, new starting gates, toilet facilities, and greyhound track rollers,” says Mr Guy.

Nathan Guy Racing
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Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy is travelling to Australia and China over the next four days to attend racing and agricultural conferences.

He travels to Brisbane today to attend the Australasian Racing Ministers’ Conference, which involves Australian state ministers of racing.

“New Zealand shares a lot in common with the Australian racing industry, and this is a chance to discuss issues like animal welfare and the impact of offshore online wagering,” says Mr Guy.

Nathan Guy Racing Primary Industries
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Racing Minister Nathan Guy has announced the reappointment of Independent Chairperson Glenda Hughes and members Rod Croon, Greg McCarthy, Mauro Barsi, Graham Cooney and Alistair Ryan to the New Zealand Racing Board’s governing body.

These appointments were completed following statutory consultation with the racing industry and all three codes. 

“I’m confident the Board will continue its work in maintaining a sustainable racing industry,” says Mr Guy.

Nathan Guy Racing
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The next round of applications for the Racing Safety Development Fund has opened today, Racing Minister Nathan Guy has announced.

“The fund supports projects around the country for improving racecourse health and safety standards. In the past this has included improvements for safety running rails, irrigation and drainage, swabbing boxes, and grandstand repairs,” says Mr Guy.

“The fund can support projects that improve the health and safety of the racing animals, riders, spectators, and officials.

Nathan Guy Racing
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A working group has been appointed to shed some light on the growth of New Zealanders engaging in offshore online racing and sports betting, Racing Minister Nathan Guy announced today.

“The TAB is operated by the New Zealand Racing Board and has a national monopoly on all racing and sports betting. The Racing Board is required by law to distribute all profits from this betting back to the racing industry, which relies on these distributions to survive. National Sporting Organisations also receive a percentage of sports betting turnover,” says Mr Guy.

Nathan Guy Racing
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Racing Minister Nathan Guy has announced that the next round of applications for the Racing Safety Development Fund will open on 2 February 2015.

“The fund supports important projects around the country to improve racecourse health and safety standards. This has included improvements for safety running rails, containment fences, and grandstand repairs,” says Mr Guy.

A total of $296,404 will be made available from the fund this round with just over $700,000 having already been granted this financial year. All racing clubs and racing code bodies can apply.

Nathan Guy Racing
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Racing Minister Nathan Guy has announced that 25 projects to improve safety at racecourses across New Zealand will be receiving grants worth $703,596.

The money is coming from the Racing Safety Development Fund which provides $1 million annually to racecourse safety, with matching dollar-for-dollar contributions from racing clubs.

“This year’s first funding round has supported a wide range of infrastructure projects including safety running rails, new starting gates, toilet facilities upgrades, and a greyhound kennel block extension,” says Mr Guy.

Nathan Guy Racing
Speech

Good morning, it’s great to be here this morning with you, the people who are the powerhouse behind New Zealand racing.

I’d like to acknowledge your Chair, Glenda Hughes, and your acting Chief Executive, Stewart McRobie. Thank you Glenda for inviting me to address your annual general meeting today.

I’d also like to acknowledge the chairs of your constituent code bodies and their chief executives:

Nathan Guy Racing