Dogs on beaches

Photo shows a woman plays with her dog at the Beach.

Dogs are allowed on most beaches in the Whangārei District, except for those beaches subject to a coastal dog ban.

Coastal dog bans

Summer rules for dogs on beaches

Between 20 December and 31 January, dogs are only allowed on most beaches before 9:00am or after 5:00pm.

See our online map for dog access rules across the Whangārei District: 

Dog access rules map

Year-round off-leash beaches

Dogs are allowed off-leash year-round at the following beach and foreshore areas:

Whananaki North

  • Between the boat ramps

Map showing dog access rules for Whananaki.

Whananaki(PDF, 420KB)

Tūtūkākā

  • Tūtūkākā Marina beach

Ngunguru

  • Between Kauakarangi Bay sandspit and Whangaumu Bay
  • Ngunguru estuary foreshore (village side)

Map showing dog access rules for Ngunguru.

Ngunguru(PDF, 1003KB)

Map showing dog access rules for Ngunguru to Whangaumu.

Ngunguru to Whangaumu(PDF, 262KB)

Waikaraka

  • Waikaraka Beach Road foreshore area

Map showing dog access rules for Waikaraka.

Waikaraka(PDF, 188KB)

One Tree Point

  • Foreshore from the Marsden Yacht Club southeastward to the carpark area and foreshore access opposite 189 One Tree Point Road

Map showing dog access rules for One Tree Point.

One Tree Point(PDF, 196KB)

Ruakākā

  • Beach and foreshore from the Mair Road access point southward to the eastern end of Taotahi Walk
  • Beach and foreshore from the boardwalk beach access point between 117 and 119 Bream Bay Drive southward to the pedestrian access point at the Uretiti Beach DOC Campsite

Map showing dog access rules for Bream Bay and Ruakaka Beach.

Bream Bay – Ruakākā Beach north(PDF, 401KB)

Map showing dog access rules for Bream Bay and Ruakaka Beach south.

Bream Bay – Ruakākā Beach south(PDF, 332KB)

Uretiti

  • Beach and foreshore from the southern boundary of the Uretiti Beach DOC Campsite southward to the beach access point at Tip Road

Map showing dog access rules for Bream Bay and Uretiti.

Bream Bay – Uretiti(PDF, 409KB)

Remember: 

  • clean up after your dog and follow all the usual good safety measures 
  • don't leave dogs in cars – the temperature can rise to a terminal point in a very short time, even when windows are cracked 
  • always take water and a bowl for the dog to drink from 
  • breaching a dog control bylaw can result in fines.

Coastal dog bans

Some beaches and estuaries have dog bans year-round, usually to protect endangered or recovering flora and fauna. Keep an eye out for signs about them.

No dogs at all times on the beach and foreshore:

  • from the northern end of Bland Bay beach to the northernmost point of Logan Nicks Reserve
  • from Waitapu Rock eastward around Whangaruru North Head and then northwards along the western side of the peninsula to the northwestern end of Tuparehuia Bay

Map showing dog rules for Bland Bay Whangaruru.

Bland Bay / Whangaruru(PDF, 655KB)

No dogs at all times:

  • on any beaches within the Mimiwhangata Coastal Park, from Parapahi Point to the southern end of Ruatahi Inlet

Map showing dog access rules for Mimiwhangata.

Mimiwhangata(PDF, 337KB)

No dogs at all times on the beach and foreshore:

  • from the rocky outcrop at the western end of Otamure Bay eastward to Andesite Point

Map showing dog access rules for Whananaki North Otamure Bay.

Whananaki North – Otamure Bay(PDF, 329KB)

No dogs at all times:

  • in the Whananaki inlet
  • on the Whananaki sandspit foreshore
  • from the northwestern end of Motutara Beach southeastward around the headland to the boat ramp on Whananaki Wharf Road

Map showing dog access rules for Whananaki.

Whananaki(PDF, 420KB)

No dogs at all times:

  • on Matapōuri Reserve (including access track to Whale Bay) and Otito Reserve at the northern end of Matapōuri Bay

No dogs at all times on the beach and foreshore:

  • from the eastern end of the Ngunguru River Reserve eastward then northward around the sandspit and southward to the southern side of the Horahora River mouth

Map showing dog access rules for Ngunguru.

Ngunguru(PDF, 1003KB)

No dogs at all times on the beach and foreshore:

  • from Awarua Rock southward to the rocky outcrop at the northern end of Ocean Beach

Map showing dog access rules for Kauri Mountain Beach.

Kauri Mountain Beach(PDF, 480KB)

No dogs at all times on the beach and foreshore:

  • from Urquharts Bay carpark around the headland to the southern end of Ocean Beach

Map showing dog access rules for Bream Head.

Bream Head(PDF, 452KB)

No dogs at all times on the beach and foreshore, including the mangrove wetlands:

  • from the groyne at Marsden Bay beach eastward to Northport and southward to Papich Road

Map showing dog access rules for Marsden Bay Blacksmiths Creek Walkway.

Marsden Bay / Blacksmiths Creek Walkway(PDF, 323KB)

No dogs at all times on the beach and foreshore, including the mangrove wetlands:

  • in the Ruakākā River from the one-way bridge on Ruakākā Beach Road northward along the foreshore around the campground to the northern pedestrian access point at Ruakākā Beach Reserve
  • on the Princes Road foreshore area from the one-way bridge on Ruakākā Beach Road northward to the northern end of the Princes Road boat ramp reserve
  • from the Ruakākā Racecourse beach access southward to the end of the accessible beach and foreshore at Ruakākā River

Map showing dog access rules for Bream Bay and Ruakaka.

Bream Bay – Ruakākā(PDF, 340KB)

No dogs at all times on the beach and foreshore:

  • from Tip Road southward to the northern end of Waipū Cove campground, including the Waipū River mouth and estuary

Map showing dog access rules for Bream Bay and Uretiti.

Bream Bay – Uretiti(PDF, 409KB)

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Phone: 09 430 4200

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