Dog Control Policy and Bylaw Review

Thames-Coromandel is a great place for dogs and dog owners. We want to keep it that way, while also protecting local wildlife and respecting the rights of non dog owners.

Our Dog Control Policy and the associated Bylaw seek to balance the rights of dogs and dog owners while preventing any potential harm dogs could do to people or wildlife.

We’re seeking public feedback on our revised Policy and Bylaw.

Review of Dog Control

Under the Dog Control Act 1996 and Local Government Act 2002, our Council is required to review its Dog Control Policy and Bylaw.

Our internal review shows our Policy and Bylaw are working well and no major changes are needed. The majority of dog owners are responsible and considerate.

Our revised Policy and Bylaw aim to clarify a few points and update specific details, particularly about locations, times and restrictions on dogs in public places such as beaches and public recreation areas.

Key proposed changes

District-wide:
  • clarify dog owners’ and Council’s responsibilities
  • clarify the areas where dogs should be on leash and under control including  on roads, pedestrian areas and car parking areas
  • prohibit dogs 5m from the edge of sports fields and playgrounds
  • extend the restrictions to protect dotterel and other wildlife breeding areas to include Easter and Anzac holiday weekends
  • remove King’s Birthday Weekend and Matariki from the general holiday weekend restrictions
Coromandel-Colville Community Board area:
  • Hauraki Road – WW1 Memorial Forest 520 Hauraki Road (Off leash)
  • Tuateawa Walkway, Waihirere Drive and entire beach (Prohibited)
Mercury Bay Community Board area:
  • Kūaotunu Beach west from Kawhero Street Beach access (Prohibited from 20 December to 31 January and all holiday weekends between 9am and 6pm)
  • Kūaotunu Beach east from Kawhero Street Beach access (Prohibited from Labour weekend to 1 March at all times and Easter and Anzac holiday weekends)
  • Kūaotunu Grays Beach entire Beach (Prohibited from 20 December to 31 January and all holiday weekends between 9am and 6pm)
Tairua- Pāuanui Community Board area:
  • Slipper Island – Whakahau all Council reserves (Prohibited)
  • Otara Bay – entire beach and accessway (Prohibited)
Thames Community Board area:
  • Hauraki Rail Trail from south of the Kōpū Bridge to Hikutaia (Prohibited)

Tell us what you think

We’d like to find out your views about how to ensure we have the appropriate controls for dogs in place so that everyone can enjoy our beautiful district.

View the draft revised Dog Control Policy(PDF, 1MB) and the draft revised Dog Control Bylaw(PDF, 616KB) and have your say by taking part in the consultation from 28 October to 2 December 2022.

To make a submission, you can either:

  • submit online here
  • download the submission form here(PDF, 118KB), fill it in and email it to policy.submissions@tcdc.govt.n
  • collect a printed submission form from one of the Council offices in Thames, Coromandel, Whitianga or Whangamatā, fill it out and hand it in at the office or post it to Thames-Coromandel District Council, Private Bag 1001, Thames 3540.

There will then be an opportunity for people to present their views in person at a consultation hearing early next year.

Please note: proposed changes to the Policy and Bylaw will not come into effect this summer. All submissions will be considered before changes are approved by Council in 2023. 

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