From page 1 // North ‘sacrificing’ racing in south

NZTR’s board comprised six people ‘‘with two – Rodger Finlay and Dean McKenzie – being South Island residents’’. ‘‘The board members are appointed by a 12-person member council, which includes three members nominated by South Island clubs.’’

He said decisions on racing at certain venues were yet to be made and the need to ensure that the network of racing’s infrastructure is sustainable in the long term was critical. ‘‘Necessarily there will be a process consultation in 2019 before any of decisions are reached. Among other factors, current and potential future levels of regional horse racing activity will have a bearing on considerations.’’

New Zealand Racing Board (NZRB) spokesperson Ian Long said while he was not in a position to comment on the allegations made by White, successful racing in the South Island was critical to the future of racing in New Zealand.

‘‘The Department of Internal Affairs ran a consultation process on the (Messara) Report,’’ Long said. ‘‘The results of which have not been published. No decisions have yet been made.’’

In a statement in October the NZRB said: ‘‘Messara’s report touches on many of the challenges faced by the industry, and we welcome much of the thinking behind his recommendations although in a number of areas we differ from his conclusions.

‘‘The board agrees there is a need for fewer racing venues, but any change needs to be progressed through the already established joint-industry future venue plan.’’