Gurdeep Talwar JP

Supporting the community wherever possible.
Auckland Kaamatan event “Harvest Unity, Celebrating Harmony”, hosted by Sabah Auckland Association in Flat Bush.

Fiji Girmit Foundation.
147 years since the first ship arrived from India to Fiji being remembered in New Zealand today.

Over 1000 attendees.
In the pic , with the new High Commission of India to New Zealand HE Ms. Muanpuii Saiawi

As a dog lover, I support the decision to end greyhound racing in New Zealand.

From an animal welfare perspective, this is the right step. No sport or industry should exist where the wellbeing of dogs is under consistent concern.

But I also think it’s important we talk honestly about how this transition is handled.

Behind this decision are real dogs and real people:
• Dogs who need safe, proper rehoming — not rushed outcomes
• People and businesses whose entire livelihoods have been built around this industry

My concern is not the decision itself — but the ex*****on.

A more structured transition period (12 months or more) could have helped:
✔ Ensure every effort is made to rehome dogs responsibly
✔ Stop breeding in a controlled, managed way
✔ Give workers and small businesses time to adapt and move forward
✔ Avoid unintended harm during a rushed exit

Being a dog lover means caring not just about ending an industry — but about what happens to every single dog caught in it.

Progress matters. But so does responsibility in how we get there.

Keen to hear how others see this.