A spokesperson for New Zealand's greyhound racing industry says it is "fundamentally different" to that of New South Wales, which has just banned the sport over animal cruelty.
A special commission of inquiry found systemic cruelty including mass killings and live baiting, prompting the NSW ban.
The report found half of all greyhounds bred to race in the past 12 years were killed because they were deemed to be uncompetitive.
"Animal welfare is taken extremely seriously by the New Zealand racing industry," says Greyhound Racing NZ CEO Phil Holden.
"We were appalled by the findings of the Special Commission of Inquiry into the NSW greyhound industry and we will continue to have zero tolerance for anyone in the New Zealand industry being involved in any of the practices identified in the Australian report."
Shocking footage of live baiting sparked a special inquiry into the NSW greyhound industry and the report - released today - is no less shocking.
It found up to 68,000 greyhounds were slaughtered in the past 12 years for simply not being fast enough, while up to 20 percent of trainers engage in live baiting.
"The report is chilling, confronting and horrific," says Mike Baird, NSW Premier.
"The industry turned a blind eye to the barbaric practice of live baiting."
The report also revealed dogs regularly suffered skull fractures and broken backs - injuries described as 'catastrophic'.
The RSPCA welcomed the decision.
"This day is historic, it will go down in the chapters of welfare as being one of the biggest improvements in animal welfare in this state," says Steve Coleman, spokesperson for RSPCA NSW.
It's urging other jurisdictions to seriously look at the state's decision to shut down the industry.
"The New Zealand greyhound racing industry is fundamentally different to the Australian industry, operating under a different regulatory framework," says Mr Holden.
"Unlike Australia, New Zealand has an independent body, the Racing Integrity Unit (RIU), which monitors dog racing, including undertaking kennel inspections, drug testing, race day attendance and investigations.
"Greyhound Racing New Zealand works very closely with the RIU to ensure the safety and good treatment of all dogs in the industry. In recent years, significant steps have already been taken to improve greyhound welfare in New Zealand following our own independent review."
However, New Zealand hasn't been without its own horror stories.
In 2013, TV3's 3rd Degree found the burned bodies of greyhounds on a property. Now animal welfare groups SAFE and the Greyhound Protection League wants a commission of inquiry like the one in Australia to find out once and for all if the same thing is happening in New Zealand.
"A large percentage of puppies are being put down before they're even registered and I'm very concerned that puppies are basically being bred to be killed," says Labour MP Trevor Mallard.
The New South Wales ban will come into effect in July next year. In the meantime, the industry will operate under increased scrutiny and a welfare plan for existing greyhounds will be rolled out.
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