Wairoa wants to race

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Wairoa Racing Club will fight for its survival.

Club president Paul Toothill has confirmed the club will make a submission to New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) arguing that the club should continue to race at its Te Kupenga Racecourse.

Wairoa, along with nine other clubs, including Poverty Bay, have been earmarked for closure and have not been given race meetings for next season. Clubs have until June 15 to make submissions.

Mr Toothill said there was strong community support for the club.

It was the heart of the community.

The idea that Wairoa, like Poverty Bay, could race at Hawke's Bay would not work, he said.

It was ironic the closure of the race course was being proposed as the Government pumped millions of dollars of Provincial Growth Funding into Wairoa, he said.

There was a place for country racing as provided by Wairoa and Poverty Bay, which held their race days close together to attract trainers.