Source: Auckland Council
It is time to unleash your views on proposed changes to Auckland’s dog rules. You can have your say by taking part in the 5-week consultation from Monday 20 January until Sunday 23 February.
The changes being proposed are part of a regular review of Auckland’s dog policy, Dog Management Bylaw and local dog access rules.
Councillor Josephine Bartley, chair of Auckland Council’s Regulatory and Safety Committee says the proposals aim to strike a fair balance for everyone who uses Auckland’s public places.
“We are so lucky to have a variety of public spaces to share in Tāmaki Makaurau. It’s important we maintain a balance that respects everybody’s right to use them.
“The changes being put forward aim to keep a good mix of dog-friendly and dog-free spaces so there are places for dogs, and anyone who is not a dog person, to enjoy. This will also help to protect vulnerable wildlife, like endangered shorebirds nesting on our beaches, and kauri in specific places”, she says.
Data also shows that multiple dogs being walked together appears to be an emerging issue for Aucklanders, so a limit on the number of dogs that can be walked at the same time is being proposed.
“This aims to respond to the concerns in a way that’s fair and reasonable, without imposing unnecessary restrictions. Ultimately, everyone should feel safe and welcome to visit Auckland’s parks, beaches and public spaces – this is at the heart of these proposals.
“This is a topic that people are passionate about – I know as well as anyone that we want the best for our beloved pets. Testing these changes with Aucklanders is key to making sure we have it right. If this is important to you, I strongly encourage you to have your say online, or at one of the many engagement events being held across the region.” says Josephine.
Some of the changes being put forward aim to help protect endangered native dotterels.
Doggy details – what are the proposed changes?
The changes aim to maintain a balance of dog-friendly and dog-free spaces in Tāmaki Makaurau. They cover dog access rules (where dogs can go off a leash, on a leash, or are not allowed) at 14 regional parks and 64 places in local parks and beaches across the region. New off-leash areas are recommended, as well as changes to keep dogs out of places with vulnerable wildlife, and to provide some places for the public to visit that are dog-free.
Under the proposed changes, people can walk a maximum of six dogs at once and only three of those dogs can be off a leash. This means you could walk three dogs off a leash at once, or three dogs off a leash and an additional three dogs on a leash, or six dogs on a leash.
Finally, some existing rules in the policy and bylaw will be made clearer. This includes the need for any dogs classified as menacing and dangerous outside of Auckland to be neutered if they are moved here, rules and exemptions for working dogs and dogs in vehicles, plus dog access rules for places such as council car parks and camping grounds.
What does the data say?
Early feedback from Aucklanders, interviews with groups and individuals that have an interest in dog rules, and analysis of relevant data, including complaints to the council, animal management service requests and dog registrations, has shaped the proposed changes.
An analysis of dog-related complaint data found complaints about dog access rules not being followed and multiple dogs being walked at once. In a preliminary survey in March 2024, Aucklanders told us that owners not picking up after their dog, dogs wandering off-leash in on-leash areas and packs of dogs taking up pathways were of concern to them.
Reviewing the data available to the council is a valuable first step when updating policies or bylaws. It has helped to show where the policy works well, and where improvements can be made.
What could change in my area?
Parks and beaches with proposed changes to local dog access rules include:
Central/West
North
-
Long Bay Regional Park
-
Te Ārai Regional Park
-
Snells Beach (Rodney)
South
-
Waitawa Regional Park
You can view the full list and changes being put forward in the statement of proposal documents for the policy and bylaw review (including regional parks) and local dog access rules. The documents are available on AKHaveYourSay
Are we barking up the right tree? Have your say now.
Have your say from Monday 20 January until 11.59pm on Sunday 23 February. You can take part online or at one of the 23 engagement events happening across the region.
Visit AKHaveYourSay.nz to view the full list of proposed changes, find out more about the engagement events, and take part in the consultation.
