The administration of the sport is in the hands of the New Zealand Trotting Conference, with headquarters in Christchurch. The Conference, which is an association of clubs allowed to use the totalisator, has an executive consisting of president, North Island vice-president, South Island vice-president, treasurer, and 10 members. The executive meets several times a year to conduct the business of the conference. Each club is represented at an annual conference, which has the sole right to amend rules, issue totalisator licences, and allocate racing dates. The conference can only issue the number of licences available under the 1908 Gaming Act and its amendments. The Act has to be amended before more can become available.

The conference has been in existence since 1896, the only variation in control being the establishment of the New Zealand Trotting Association in 1899 and the abolition of this association in 1950.

All trotting clubs are non-proprietary. In the early days some clubs were proprietary, but under pressure from the Government these clubs were compelled to treat owners and trainers more liberally, with the result that they have ceased to exist. Today the only paid officials are those fully employed in administration or specially engaged on race days. All others, from the president down, are honorary members. In fact, in many of the smaller clubs the officials do all the work without charge to the club. If it were not for such services there would be fewer minor clubs. Few clubs show large profits these days and many depend on grants from the Totalisator Agency Board.

Today the larger clubs provide courses which are equal to, or even superior to, many in other parts of the world. The stands of the major clubs are impressive and commodious. Most races are on courses of between 4 and 6 furlongs. Since night trotting was introduced there has been a tendency to reduce the size of the tracks, but in no case to less than 4 furlongs. Many of the smaller clubs use racing-club courses or courses owned jointly by racing and trotting clubs. These tracks are usually about a mile in circumference. A grass track is generally used, but some clubs have laid down a clay track, while those racing at night have used limestone or shell, which are better reflectors of light. The number of horses permitted in any one race varies according to the track. The maximum is 24, though some clubs, principally those racing at night, have reduced the number to 14. A maximum course number and a maximum number for each start are fixed by the conference.

Trotting races are handicapped on the yards system on the basis that a horse's racing speed is an average 12 yards in a second. Thus horses start on scratch, 12 yards, 24 yards, etc. There is a variation in the faster classes, when a distance of 6 yards or half a second is used. This system has been used since 1929. Before this the handicapping was either a yards system or by seconds.

Since 1926 races have got under way from standing starts behind barriers – unless permission is given for a flying start. A flying start is permitted in a race against time, in a match, or, more recently, where a mobile starting barrier has been used. The mobile barrier has a limited scope in New Zealand, as it can be used only when all horses start from the front handicap mark. It cannot be used where handicap races start from various marks.

Stipendiary stewards were introduced in 1917. Till 1945 these stewards attended meetings and supervised the racing, reporting any matters arising from a race to the judicial committee of the club concerned, who would then make a decision. In 1945 the rules were amended to give stipendiary stewards sole power of controlling the racing and, together with one representative from the club or body holding the meeting, they deal with all matters concerning the racing. In all inquiries they hear the evidence and give the decision, which, except in the case of minor penalties, can be appealed against. The case is then heard and decided by three persons appointed as appeal judges, whose decision is final.

Night trotting was introduced on 31 December 1958 by the Auckland Trotting Club. The club now holds all its meetings under lights. All major clubs have now adapted their courses for night trotting, which is proving increasingly popular. A comparison of returns of the Auckland Trotting Club shows just how successful night trotting has proved. The club had a total turnover for the 1958–59 season for day racing of £1,626,739. Night racing in the 1960–61 season gave the club a turnover of £2,547,309. Gate receipts in the latter season – at £43,072 – were £37,439 better than in the 1958–59 day-racing season.

Race times have improved greatly in the last 50 years.

The first New Zealand Cup of 2 miles was run in 1904, the winner's time being 4 min 44.4 sec. Fifty years later Johnny Globe won the cup in 4 min 7.6 sec. Similar time improvements have been made in races for unhoppled horses. In 1912 the Dominion Trotting Handicap of 2 miles was won in 4 min 52.5 sec, and in 1958 in 4 min 17.6 sec.