About us

The RIB is established as an independent body under section 42 of the Racing Industry Act 2020.

Our objectives, as set out in the Act, are to promote and ensure the racing industry complies with high standards of animal welfare, integrity and professionalism for the benefit of the public, participants and the racing industry.

The Act specifies the functions of the RIB as compliance, animal welfare, adjudication, and advisory and advocacy. Our core day-to-day functions include:

• running race meetings in accordance with each codes’ racing rules
• work with the codes to ensure animal welfare policies and initiatives are effective
• provide race day veterinary services
• test for prohibited substances in both animals and humans
• audit and inspect kennels and stables
• conduct investigations into potential compliance failures
• hear and adjudicate on matters in accordance with the racing rules
• hear and adjudicate on appeals.

Racing codes

We exercise the powers assigned to them in the rules and policies of thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing:

• Greyhound Racing New Zealand
• Harness Racing New Zealand
• New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.

History

We commenced operations on 1 July 2021, bringing together the people, resources and activities of the former Racing Integrity Unit and the Judicial Control Authority for Racing.

Changes to the regulation of the racing industry, including the new Racing Industry Act 2020, were informed by two reports commissioned by the Government:

• The Review of the New Zealand Racing Industry – The Messara Report 2018
• The Special Review of the Structure and Efficacy of the Racing Integrity Unit (RIU) and Allied Integrity Bodies – The Burgess Report 2019.