Harness Racing Profile

Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) is the administrative body for Harness Racing.

Mission

  • Contribute to and drive industry growth
  • Provide effective and efficient support services
  • Regulate the harness industry

Vision

“Harnessing excitement, service, integrity and prosperity for our stakeholders and customers”

About HRNZ

Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) is the administrative body for Harness Racing.

There are 265 race meetings held by the 47 harness clubs at 38 venues throughout New Zealand in a season. Two regions, Canterbury and Auckland host the greatest percentage of all race meetings with about 30% and 20% respectively. There are over 3,000 Standardbred horses in New Zealand. These horses race for in excess of $28 million dollars in prize money (stakes).  Average stakes per race is about $10,000.

HRNZ’s functions are many and include:

  • the registration of horses and licenceholders within the industry
  • distributions of all winnings to owners, trainers and drivers
  • an IT team which supports a unique harness industry computer system and software programmes
  • a marketing team who operate our promotional programme and assist Clubs with theirs
  • a handicapping dept who as the name suggests, handicap or grade our horses in a race
  • an Education team who undertake the training of young people employed in the industry and operates a number of education programmes aimed at encouraging young people to become involved, not in betting but actually participating

HRNZ Board

The HRNZ Board is a body of elected and appointed members who are responsible for the governance of Harness Racing in New Zealand. The Board's activities are determined by the powers, duties, and responsibilities delegated to it or conferred on it under the Racing Act 2003, the Constitution of Harness Racing New Zealand Incorporated and the New Zealand Rules of Harness Racing (including Regulations).

The functions of the HRNZ Board include:

  • governing HRNZ by establishing broad policies and strategic objectives;
  • selecting, appointing, supporting and reviewing the performance of the Chief Executive
  • ensuring the availability of financial resources to Clubs through the code funding policy
  • approving annual budgets and business plans
  • accounting to industry stakeholders for Harness Racing New Zealand’s performance.
  • to make such regulations or issue such directions as are not inconsistent with the Rules