Tauranga race track has been spared the axe, in a major shakeup of the thoroughbred racing industry that proposes shutting down 21 race tracks around the country by 2030.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has released its Future Venue Plan and is now seeking feedback from the racing industry.

Currently 48 thoroughbred tracks hold race meetings.

The proposal is to reduce that to just 27 by 2030.

Racing clubs will not be closing down, only the race tracks, with the industry body encouraging clubs to hold their race meets at tracks that remain open.

The proposal is to sell the tracks slated for closure and some of the proceeds to be used to upgrade facilities.

It's part of recommendations of a review of the industry by Australian racing identity John Massara.

The move comes as the industry struggles with rising costs, some venues needing major upgrades and stagnating stakes.

Racing Tauranga chairman Frank Vosper is excited and says the changes have to happen for the racing industry to survive.

But he says some of the tracks identified for closure will fight to stay open.

'Parochialism is still in the way of the industry,” says Frank.

'A lot of problems faced by clubs around the country is the cost of maintaining the facilities.

'We in Tauranga will not be getting the chop, we are doing well. We've got the population growth and greenspace where we are.

'We want to grow the facility, use it more as a venue for other events not just racing.

'There's some exciting opportunities and because of our population I think we will survive.”

Frank says the board has some exciting ideas going forward such as improving members' facilities and developing the venue as a conference center.

'We want to be on the front foot going forward with the Massara report and drive it rather than being driven.”

One of the major recommendations in the Messara review was to close 20 tracks.

It slated closure of Dargaville, Avondale, Thames, Rotorua, Wairoa, Stratford, Hawera, Waipukurau, Woodville, Reefton, Greymouth, Hokitika, Motukarara, Timaru, Kurow, Oamaru, Waimate, Omakau, Winton, and Gore.