Temporary fuel relief to support racing participants

TAB New Zealand has announced a temporary fuel relief package of up to $1 million to support participants across Thoroughbred and Harness racing, providing short‑term relief in response to recent sharp increases in fuel costs.

The package, developed in collaboration with horse racing’s governing bodies New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ), will retrospectively apply from 1 April 2026 with parties continuing to monitor conditions and reviewing, as necessary. 

TAB New Zealand Chief Commercial and Industry Officer Jason Fleming said the initiative reflects TAB New Zealand’s vital role in supporting the racing industry through a period of external disruption.

“Rising fuel prices — particularly diesel which is up 69% in the past 28 days — are placing real pressure on owners, trainers, drivers, jockeys and clubs, and ultimately on the sustainability of race meetings. This is a targeted, time‑limited package designed to help participants through an exceptional period of volatility, while ensuring the continuity and resilience of the racing calendar.”

Under the relief structure, payments will be delivered through the existing participant payment systems of the two racing codes.

Owners: $50 per horse finishing outside the top four
Trainers: $40 per meeting per trainer or training partnership (one payment per meeting)
Drivers/Jockeys: $40 per meeting attended
Clubs: $500 per meeting

Minor variations between codes may apply (e.g. rebalancing between owners and trainers) with the payment to clubs to help offset increased operational costs. 

The structure of this support has been deliberately kept simple, equitable and administratively efficient. It ensures that assistance flows to those directly affected by fuel costs, particularly those essential to delivering race meetings week‑to‑week.

Fleming said, “This is targeted short‑term support in response to an external cost shock, whereby the code bodies have sought financial assistance from TABNZ over and above their core distributions”.

Mitch Lamb, GM Racing at NZTR, noted that similar fuel relief initiatives have recently been implemented by Racing NSW and Racing Victoria, reflecting a broader industry response across Australasia to rising fuel costs.

“We have looked closely at how our Australian counterparts are responding to the same pressures. This package is well aligned with those approaches, while being tailored to New Zealand’s industry structure.”

“Our focus via the additional funding has been to maintain continuity and participation during what is hopefully a finite period of disruption,” said Brad Steele CEO, at HRNZ.

TABNZ Chairman Bill Birnie acknowledged and thanked the Minister for Racing, The Rt Hon Winston Peters for his support of this initiative.

The subsidy will be subject to review, reflective of how the fuel crisis develops, with a maximum of $250,000 paid for each month from 1 April to 31 July.