Changes to dog bylaws

Published on 16 October 2024

Parts of Whangārei are set to be more dog friendly when new dog rules come in on Monday 28 October 2024.

Dogs will now be allowed on-leash in Whangārei’s city centre and off-leash year-round at nine beach locations (please note, maps for these will be available on our website from Monday 28 October 2024):

• Whananaki North (foreshore between boat ramps)
• Tūtūkākā Marina beach
• Between Kauakarangi Bay sandspit (Ngunguru) and Whangaumu Bay
• Ngunguru estuary foreshore (village side)
• Waikaraka Beach
• One Tree Point (northeastern side)
• Ruakākā Beach north (between Mair Road and Taotahi Walk)
• Ruakākā Beach south (between surf club and campground)
• Uretiti Beach (Tip Road northwards).

A number of coastal dog bans are also in place to protect vulnerable wildlife. Many of these support existing rules on land managed by the Department of Conservation, such as in Whangaruru North, parts of Whananaki, Matapōuri and Whangārei Heads and around the Ruakākā and Waipū river mouths.

“Last year, we asked what we should change in our dog rules and more than 600 people gave us their ideas,” says Mayor Vince Cocurullo.

“Our teams drafted up changes to our Dog Policy and Bylaw and consulted again. We received more than 800 submissions and then held hearings in July this year.”

He says one common theme was a shortage of places to take dogs off-leash in summer. Another was that the ‘no dog’ rule in the city centre meant fewer customers visiting the centre of town. People also said providing places for dogs to go needed to be balanced against the need to protect the health and safety of people, especially children, as well as wildlife.

“In other parts of the world, it is quite acceptable to take your dog into town when you go to a café or shopping. People who value that freedom do the right thing – they have their dogs on leashes, pick up after them and keep them under control,” says Mayor Cocurullo.

“All our rules rely on people doing the right thing and we think our residents will do that too. If they don’t, there are penalties and there is always the opportunity to change the rules during the next review.”

As a result of the review, dogs will now be allowed on-leash in Whangārei’s city centre and off-leash year-round at nine beach locations. Several coastal dog bans have also been introduced to protect vulnerable wildlife.

The updated policy and bylaw and a new online map showing the dog access rules will be available here on our website from Monday 28 October 2024.