Aucklanders are being invited to share their views on proposed changes to the city’s dog rules, with a five-week consultation period running from Monday, 20 January to Sunday, 23 February 2025. The proposed revisions are part of a regular review of Auckland’s Dog Management Bylaw, local dog access regulations, and the broader policy on dogs in public spaces.
Councillor Josephine Bartley, chair of the Regulatory and Safety Committee, emphasized that the goal of these changes is to ensure a fair balance for everyone who uses the city’s public spaces. “Auckland is fortunate to have a diverse range of public areas, and it’s crucial to maintain a balance that allows both dog owners and non-dog owners to enjoy them,” she explained.
The proposed changes aim to provide a mix of dog-friendly areas and dog-free zones. This would allow dog owners and non-dog owners alike to have enjoyable experiences in Auckland’s parks, beaches, and other public spaces. Furthermore, the proposals seek to protect vulnerable wildlife, such as endangered shorebirds nesting along beaches, and to safeguard kauri trees in certain areas.
Data has also pointed to an emerging issue of dog owners walking multiple dogs together, leading to a proposal to limit the number of dogs a person can walk at once. The intention behind this change is to address concerns fairly and reasonably, ensuring that public spaces remain safe and welcoming for everyone.
“It’s a topic that people care deeply about,” said Bartley. “Testing these changes with Aucklanders is crucial to ensuring we get it right. If this issue matters to you, I encourage you to participate in the consultation online or at one of the community events being held across the city.”
Proposed Changes at a Glance: The proposed changes focus on maintaining a balance between dog-friendly and dog-free areas across Auckland. Key changes include updates to dog access rules at 14 regional parks and 64 local parks and beaches. Among these changes, new off-leash areas are suggested, while some spaces with vulnerable wildlife would be off-limits for dogs. Additionally, dog-free zones would be introduced in certain public spaces.
One of the notable proposals includes a limit on the number of dogs that can be walked together, with a maximum of six dogs allowed at a time, of which only three can be off-leash. This would allow for various combinations, such as walking three dogs off-leash with three on-leash or six dogs on-leash.
Further, several existing rules within the policy and bylaw would be clarified, including regulations surrounding menacing and dangerous dogs relocating from outside Auckland, rules for working dogs and dogs in vehicles, and specific dog access rules for council car parks and campgrounds.
Feedback and Data Insights: The proposed changes are based on feedback from Auckland residents, interviews with stakeholders, and an analysis of relevant data, including dog-related complaints, service requests, and dog registrations. Preliminary surveys revealed concerns from Aucklanders about dog owners not cleaning up after their pets, dogs roaming off-leash in restricted areas, and packs of dogs obstructing pathways.
Reviewing this data was an essential step in the policy update process, helping to identify areas where the current rules work well and where improvements are needed.
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