NZ Harness Trainers & Drivers Assn

About Us

The New Zealand Harness Racing Trainers and Drivers Association Incorporated  is a long established organisation representing all license-holders, be they  trainer, driver or stable-hand, full-time or part-time.

For many years the Association operated on a regional basis, with branches  based in the Auckland, Christchurch and Invercargill areas, and while this did  offer some support and guidance to Industry participants, when, after much  lobbying, the Association was granted representation on the Harness Racing New  Zealand Executive, a Constitution was drawn up and a National Council was  formed, consisting of representatives from three regions, the Northern Branch,  the Greater Canterbury Branch, and the Otago/Southland Branch. This National  Council consists of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Northern and Greater  Canterbury Branch, the Chairman of the Otago/Southland Branch and the Chair of the National Council.

The Council meets twice a year, in Auckland and Christchurch, and in recent  times, a meeting with Stipendiary Stewards has preceded the full Council  meeting. These get togethers with the Stipendiary have proved to be very  fruitful, with robust discussion on mutual matters of interest and various  contentious issues sorted out after various points of view are put forward.The  Northern and Greater Canterbury Branches meet on a regular monthly basis, while  the Otago/Southland provide valuable input into the regional meetings held in  that area between Clubs, breeders and horsemen.

The Association has representatives on the Sires Stakes Board,  the NZ Equine Industry Training Organisation, various HRNZ sub-committees, and  Area Licensing Committees. Now recognised as an essential cog in the Harness  Racing Industry, we have regular personal contact with personnel in Government  Departments, the New Zealand Racing Board, Harness Racing New Zealand, and the  Clubs themselves in order to improve conditions for trainers and drivers, as  well as ensure that licence-holders can work in harmony with these bodies for  the benefit of the Industry overall.

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