Our Dog Rules
Summer rules about where you can walk your dog are put in place from Labour Weekend to Saturday 1 March, with additional restrictions and prohibitions from Friday 20 December to Tuesday 31 January. These rules help to protect dogs, people, and wildlife during peak periods and nesting times.
The most important rule to remember is that dogs must always be under control. Make sure your dog is on lead unless specified otherwise.
Things you've got to know 
Dogs in urban areas: Dogs must always be kept on lead while in urban areas like town centres and roads. Our compliance officers will be out this summer enforcing this simple rule and are able to provide leads to dog walkers who don’t have one on them.
Dogs on beaches: Many of our beaches have summer restrictions. Dogs may be completely prohibited or only allowed on the beach during certain times - usually before 9am and after 6pm. These restrictions are not only to keep dogs off beaches when there are a lot of people, but to protect important bird habitat areas during their summer breeding period.
Council makes it easy to stay up to date with the rules at your favourite beach. Look for these signs when you take a walk, and ensure you abide by these rules.
Green signs denote exercise areas: You can have your dog off lead, but it must be under control at all times.
Orange signs denote on lead areas: Your dog must remain on lead for times noted on the sign.
Red signs denote prohibited areas: This means no dogs at all. Most beach area prohibitions are either during the dotterel nesting season from Labour Weekend to 1 March, or over the summer period and holiday weekends. We also have areas that are prohibited all year round.
Dogs around playgrounds: Dogs should never be within a children's playground. This rule was put in place to protect children and other users, as well as the assets and equipment.
Dog poo: Please remember that it is your responsibility to clean up your dogs’ poo. Take a few bags with you on walks or take advantage of our free poo bag dispensers in some of our districts most popular dog walking areas.
Dog rules specific to your area
We have summaries of our dog rules by Community Board area below or you can check out the full Dog Control Bylaw for all our dog rules.
For information on dog access to public conservation land check www.doc.govt.nz.
Rules you probably know, but here's a reminder
- Ensure your dog is under control at all times and doesn’t become a nuisance to anyone.
- Make sure your dog is on lead unless signs specify otherwise.
- Dogs must not enter areas sign posted as bird nesting areas.
- Always pick up your dog’s poo.
- All dogs aged over three months must be registered and wear a current registration tag.
- Make sure your dog has access to shade, food, and plenty of fresh drinking water.
- Never leave your dog unattended in direct sunlight or in a closed vehicle.
- Remember the 5-second rule: Whenever you take your dog outside, place the back of your hand on the pavement. If you can't hold it there for 5 seconds, it's too hot to walk your dog