A final day at the Avondale races
The Avondale Racecourse in Auckland held what is likely its final race day as operations consolidate to other tracks. The site's future remains uncertain, with locals concerned about potential high-density housing development.
Why it matters
The closure marks the end of a historic community landmark, reflecting broader trends in urban land use and the consolidation of the racing industry.
What may have been the last official race day at Avondale Racecourse in Auckland took place on Wednesday.
A local crowd turned up, as well as others from further afield, for what some consider an historic occasion.
With no further race days scheduled for the Avondale Racecourse this season, the track's future is under a cloud .
Spectators catch the racing action from the stand.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing is consolidating its Auckland operations into the Ellerslie and Pukekohe race tracks.
The racing body has the legal authority under the Racing Industry Act (2020) to declare the 35ha Avondale site surplus. Some locals fear it will be sold for high-density housing .
But on Wednesday, the fog cleared and the sun shone for what some said was the end of an era.
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