dr Michael Morris, candidate for Auckland Mayoral and Ōtara Papatoetoe Board, announces that if elected he will campaign for an immediate ban on greyhound racing at the Manukau Sports Bowl.
A government-commissioned report by Sir Bruce Roberson has highlighted issues of concealment, transparency and animal welfare in the greyhound racing industry. There was an unacceptable number of accidents, injuries and deaths. The government has officially warned the greyhound racing industry that it “takes notice” of them, but has not been brave enough to impose a ban.
The Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board is calling for new submissions on the Sports Bowl upgrades. The public is strongly in favor of turning the greyhound track into an athletics track, which means that greyhound racing will be phased out. However, Animal Justice Auckland fears there will be an inevitable delay in the construction process and meanwhile more animals will suffer and die.
Animal Justice Auckland is asking for greyhound racing on communal lands to cease from December 2022 when their lease expires.
The 21st century has no place for old-fashioned entertainment that exploits animals.
It’s gratifying to see that the community has supported the abandonment of the Greyhound Track in favor of showcasing human athleticism. Contributing to animal cruelty and problem gambling does not look good for the council. Most who use the greyhound track are from Auckland and contribute little or nothing to the local economy.
I look forward to contributing to the development of the Manukau Sports Bowl to be a cruelty-free and family-friendly place if I am elected mayor or local board member.
© Scoop Media
Covid and climate change have changed the face of tourism. For that reason, it seemed oddly premature for Tourism Secretary Stuart last week to announce that New Zealand is no longer interested in mass tourism or attracting the kind of budget-conscious visitors who “travel around our country on $10 a day eating two-minute noodles.” Instead, New Zealand aims to focus its marketing efforts on attracting wealthy, affluent tourists. “In terms of targeting our marketing spin,” Nash said, “it’s going to be unabashedly about… high-value tourists.” Really? The comments have raised some eyebrows overseas and some hackles here at home. Nash’s comments were also something of a gift to an opposition adept at portraying the Ardern government as a bunch of liberal elites out of touch with ordinary people…
More>>