Otaki-Maori course not in line for closure

The Otaki-Maori Racing Club, which dates back to 1886, isn’t one of the 20 racecourses around New Zealand recommended for closure.

A report into the racing industry has recommended sweeping changes, including course closures, to revitalise what it says is a flagging industry. And the club has a lot of projects under way and in the pipeline to future proof itself.

The Review of the New Zealand Racing Industry report, by Australian expert John Messara delivered a “blunt appraisal” of the industry, Minister for Racing Winston Peters said.

The Government commissioned Messara to conduct an independent assessment of the state of the domestic racing industry and to make recommendations for change.

“He concludes the New Zealand’s racing industry is in a state of serious malaise, and requires urgent reform,” Peters said. “The review also warns thoroughbred horse racing is at a tipping point of irreparable damage.

“It confirms what many of us have been worried about for a number of years and highlights the need for the industry to turn itself around.”

Peters said while it was too early to say what Cabinet would agree on after officials gave advice on the report, “the severity of the situation means the status quo is unlikely to prevail”.

“As this review identifies, a complex task lies ahead and for that reason Cabinet will also consider establishing a transition agency to help guide the process, particularly if there are changes to racing governance.

“Racing is a significant industry built on passionate support.

“It has created an industry with $1.6 billion to GDP annually and is a major employer. As a nation we should nurture this industry and grow it into something even greater.”

O¯ taki-Maori Racing Club general manager Ben Jamison said the report was “well overdue”.

“The New Zealand racing industry has been on a steady decline for decades now, and previous reports of a similar nature were not adopted and the recommendations were not acted on.

“In my opinion, John Messara was the perfect person to undertake this review, and I agree with most of the recommendations he has made in order to improve the industry holistically.”

While it was relieving to hear the Otaki-Maori ¯ Racing Club should remain in business for racing and training, times had been a bit tough, Mr Jamison said.

“Over the last 20 years or so we have definitely felt the effects of the declining industry in numerous ways and this must be addressed through adoption of the report.

“Most notably the lack of patrons that attend our race days as well as the lack of funding to assist us with upkeep of our large track and numerous facilities.

“This review will help to balance the spread of funding, and create a more targeted and in-depth marketing strategy for clubs throughout the nation to increase attendance.”

But the club was undertaking a lot of non-raceday projects to future proof itself.

“The largest being a 72 unit housing development on a portion of our land, the units will be sold on a licence-to-occupy basis. The resource consent for this is currently sitting with council for approval.”

A monthly farmer’s market on the last Sunday of every month was proving popular with stallholders and customers alike; there was about 22 stallholders and more than 500 customers at a recent market.

The club had renovated its former ‘trainer’s house’, and eight bedroom home, and is renting it out to a local family. A composting business on site is expected to start in the near-future.

The club has doubled the number of functions and events that take place in its facilities throughout the financial year.

And other projects are also in the planning stages. “It is important to note that all of these non-raceday projects are achievable for clubs around the country,” Mr Jamison said.