The Vision

The vision is to establish the Addington Harness Hall of Fame to honour outstanding achievements in New Zealand Harness racing, and to celebrate renowned equine performances and racing personalities at Addington Raceway. While it will collect, conserve, and display important memorabilia, the Addington Harness Hall of Fame will not merely be a museum, but an interactive, dynamic portrayal of harness racing history and achievement's. The Addington Harness Hall of Fame will be sited at Addington Raceway, the home of harness racing in New Zealand. The Addington Harness Hall of Fame will rekindle the fond memories of harness racing enthusiasts, and encourage new participants into the industry.

Ownership

The site of the Addington Harness Hall of Fame will be owned by the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club. Consent has been given by their board to allow development with a rent-free 99-year renewable lease. All major structural changes will remain the property of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, while the charitable trust will have ownership of the Addington Harness Hall of Fame fit out and acquired assets.

Harness Hall of Fame

The need to honour the achievements of the equine and human legends of harness racing was identified. While the preservation of memorabilia is vital, the promotion of Addington and the industry was also seen as vitally important. To this end the Addington Harness Hall of Fame will seek to establish vital co-operation and synergies with the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, Harness Racing New Zealand, Totalisator Agency Board, Racing Industry Board and other racing entities and their websites.

Level of Support

Following the public announcement of the Hall of Fame in late 2000, the harness racing community was consulted widely. Vital support was received from the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club and the management committee employed professional help to conduct interviews with prominent people representing a board cross-section of the industry.

Conclusion

The Addington Harness Hall of Fame is well supported by the industry and plays an important part in both the promotion of harness racing and the preservation of its history.