Apply for Racing Safety Development Fund (New Zealand)

The Racing Safety Development Fund provides grants of up to $50,000 to eligible New Zealand racing clubs and organisations for projects that improve safety at racecourses. Funding can cover up to 50% of eligible project costs and is intended to benefit riders, spectators, officials, and animals across thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound racing facilities.

About the Racing Safety Development Fund

The Racing Safety Development Fund supports projects that improve safety standards and facilities at racecourses throughout New Zealand.

The fund is overseen by the Minister for Racing and administered by the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs.

Its primary purpose is to help racing organisations upgrade or develop racecourse infrastructure that improves safety and the quality of facilities for everyone involved in racing.

This includes:

Riders and drivers.
Spectators.
Racing officials.
Staff and volunteers.
Racing animals.

What Does the Fund Support?

Funding is intended for projects that directly improve the safety and quality of racecourse facilities.

Projects should demonstrate a clear connection to the fund’s safety objectives and provide practical benefits to the racing community.

Eligible proposals may include:

Safety-related facility upgrades.
Improvements to racecourse infrastructure.
Development of facilities that reduce risks to riders, spectators, officials, or animals.
Upgrades that improve the overall safety and quality of racing facilities.

The proposed work must be directly related to improving racecourse safety.

Grant Amount

The fund provides grants between $7,500 and $50,000.

Funding can cover up to 50% of the total eligible project cost.

The required project values are:

$7,500 grant: minimum project cost of $15,000.
$50,000 grant: project cost of at least $100,000.
Maximum contribution: 50% of eligible project costs.

Applicants must provide at least 50% of the project cost from other sources.

The final grant may be lower than 50% of project costs depending on the availability of funding.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

Thoroughbred racing clubs registered with their national racing body.
Harness racing clubs registered with their national racing body.
Greyhound racing clubs registered with their national racing body.
Incorporated regional groups of racing clubs.
New Zealand racing code bodies applying on behalf of clubs for nationwide projects.

Applicants must also:

Be incorporated societies.
Be registered for GST.
Meet the Department of Internal Affairs requirements for community organisations.
Have suitable governance and management structures.
Demonstrate the capacity to manage and deliver the proposed project.
Demonstrate that they can finance their share of project costs.

Joint Applications

Joint applications are permitted where multiple racing clubs share the same racecourse facilities.

This allows clubs that use common infrastructure to work together on projects that provide shared safety benefits.

Applicants should clearly explain the roles of each participating organisation and how the proposed improvements will benefit users of the shared facilities.

What Projects Are Not Eligible?

The fund does not support projects or activities that fall outside its safety-focused purpose.

Ineligible proposals include:

Work that has already been completed.
Ongoing services.
Activities that do not directly improve racecourse safety or facilities.
Projects that do not align with the objectives of the Racing Safety Development Fund.

Applicants should demonstrate a direct and measurable connection between the proposed expenditure and improved racecourse safety.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must provide supporting information demonstrating that the project is necessary, achievable, and financially viable.

Applications should include:

A detailed project plan.
A project budget.
At least two quotes for the proposed work.
Evidence that the applicant can meet its contribution toward project costs.
Information demonstrating the organisation’s governance and management capacity.
Other supporting information required by the application process.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Check that your racing club or organisation meets the fund’s legal, GST, governance, and community organisation requirements.

Step 2: Define the Safety Project

Identify the racecourse facility or infrastructure requiring improvement and explain how the proposed project will enhance safety.

Step 3: Prepare the Project Plan

Provide details of:

The proposed work.
The need for the project.
Expected safety benefits.
Project timeframe.
People or animals that will benefit.
How the project will be delivered.

Step 4: Obtain Quotes

Obtain at least two quotes for the proposed project and include them with the application.

Step 5: Confirm Your Contribution

Demonstrate that your organisation has the financial resources to contribute at least 50% of the project cost.

Step 6: Submit the Application

Complete the application and provide the project plan, budget, quotes, financial evidence, and other required documentation.

Application Tips

Applicants can strengthen their proposals by:

Clearly identifying the safety problem being addressed.
Explaining how the project will reduce risks.
Providing a realistic and detailed budget.
Including at least two relevant project quotes.
Demonstrating the organisation’s ability to provide its required contribution.
Explaining the benefits for riders, spectators, officials, staff, volunteers, and animals.
Providing evidence of appropriate governance and project management.
Avoiding expenditure that has already occurred.
Clearly explaining the safety benefits of shared projects in joint applications.

Why It Matters

Safe and well-maintained racecourse facilities are essential for protecting people and animals involved in racing.

The Racing Safety Development Fund helps eligible racing organisations make targeted infrastructure improvements that may otherwise be difficult to finance independently.

By supporting projects with grants of up to $50,000, the program encourages racing clubs to invest in safer, higher-quality facilities while requiring applicants to contribute a substantial share of project costs.

Key Grant Details

Fund: Racing Safety Development Fund
Country: New Zealand
Administered by: New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs
Overseen by: Minister for Racing
Minimum grant: $7,500
Maximum grant: $50,000
Maximum funding rate: 50% of project cost
Applicant contribution: At least 50%
Minimum project cost: $15,000 for the minimum grant
Project cost for maximum grant: At least $100,000
Eligible sectors: Thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound racing
Joint applications: Permitted for clubs sharing racecourse facilities
Required quotes: At least two
Primary purpose: Racecourse safety and facility improvements

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Racing Safety Development Fund?

It is a New Zealand funding program supporting racing clubs and eligible racing organisations to improve the safety and quality of racecourse facilities.

How much funding can applicants receive?

Applicants can request between $7,500 and $50,000. Grants generally cover up to 50% of the eligible project cost.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include registered thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound racing clubs, incorporated regional racing groups, and New Zealand racing code bodies applying on behalf of clubs for nationwide projects.

How much must applicants contribute?

Applicants must generally contribute at least 50% of the total project cost from other funding sources.

Can several racing clubs apply together?

Yes. Joint applications are permitted for clubs that share the same racecourse facilities.

What documents are required?

Applications must include a detailed project plan, budget, at least two quotes, and evidence that the organisation can fund its share of the project costs.

Can completed projects receive funding?

No. Funding cannot be used for work that has already been completed. Proposed activities must align with the fund’s purpose and directly improve racecourse safety or facilities.

Conclusion

The Racing Safety Development Fund provides an important opportunity for eligible New Zealand racing clubs and organisations to invest in safer racecourse facilities. With grants of $7,500 to $50,000 covering up to half of eligible project costs, applicants should focus on clearly defined safety improvements, provide strong financial evidence and project documentation, and demonstrate how their proposed work will create lasting benefits for riders, spectators, officials, and animals.