What happens next
From 1 August 2025, dog owners will need to comply with updated dog access rules. Our ‘where you can walk your dog’ webpage and signage will be updated on or from 1 August.
From 1 January 2026, if you walk more than four dogs, you will need to register with the council for approval to walk up to 12 dogs and comply with conditions. The council is in the process of finalising the registration process and conditions. Please visit our dogs webpage from 1 August for updates.
A decision on dog access at Te Ārai Regional Park is scheduled to be made on 28 August 2025.
Decisions
The Governing Body adopted amendments to the Policy on Dogs and Dog Management Bylaw on 26 June 2025.
The following commencement dates apply:
- 1 August 2025 for the Policy
- 1 January 2026 or a later date by resolution of the relevant council committee, for Clause 9A of the Bylaw about limits on the walking of multiple dogs
- 1 August 2025 for all other amendments to the Bylaw
Note, a decision on dog access rules at Te Ārai Regional Park will be made at Governing Body's August 2025 meeting.
Local boards have also completed deliberations and adopted updated dog access rules at local parks to be effective from 1 August 2025.
You can view the Governing Body and Local decisions below.
Dog policy and bylaw decisions
Governing body agenda and minutes | 26 June 2025, Item 11.
Deliberations table | Item 11A
Comparison of proposed Policy and Bylaw and panel recommended changes | Item 11B
Recommended amended Policy on Dogs 2025 | Item 11C
Updated regional and local dog access rules
Local dog access rules deliberation decisions
Aotea/Great Barrier Local Board agenda and minutes | 22 April 2025, Item 11.
Franklin Local Board agenda and minutes | 10 June 2025, Item 11.
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board agenda and minutes | 27 May 2025, Item 13.
Howick Local Board agenda and minutes | 15 May 2025, Item 14.
Kaipātiki Local Board agenda and minutes | 21 May 2025, Item 11.
Ōrākei Local Board agenda and minutes | 17 April 2025, Item 11.
Puketāpapa Local Board agenda and minutes | 17 April 2025, Item 12.
Puketāpapa Local Board agenda and minutes | 19 June 2025, (Notice of Motion for Monte Cecilia Park), Item 12.
Rodney Local Board agenda and minutes | 21 May 2025, Item 13.
Upper Harbour Local Board agenda and minutes | 22 May 2025, Item 11.
Waiheke Local Board agenda and minutes | 23 April 2025, Item 17.
Waiheke Local Board agenda and minutes | 25 June 2025, (Notice of Motion for Onetangi Beach) Item 13.
Deliberations
We are proposing to update our Policy on Dogs (including some of the regional and local dog access rules) and the Dog Management Bylaw.
Public feedback has now closed. You can view the timeline for decisions, meeting dates, and feedback on the right side of the page.
The meetings are open to the public to listen however there is no further opportunities for the public to provide feedback.
Details on how to listen to the regional Dog Policy and Bylaw deliberations online (for example walking multiple dogs and dog access rules on regional parks).
For details on how to view the deliberations at a local board business meeting (for example for dog access rules at local parks and beaches), please visit the Auckland Council website for a list of business meeting dates. Please contact the local board democracy advisor for more information on how to listen to a local board business meeting. Contact details for the advisor are on front page of local board agendas.
Feedback Received
Dog Policy & Bylaw Summary of feedback report
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Albert-Eden
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Aotea/Great Barrier Feedback
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Devonport-Takapuna Feedback
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Franklin Feedback
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Henderson-Massey Feedback
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Hibiscus and Bays Feedback
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Howick Feedback
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Kaipātiki Feedback
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Feedback
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Manurewa Feedback
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Feedback
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Ōrākei Feedback
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Ōtara-Papatoetoe Feedback
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Papakura Feedback
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Puketāpapa Feedback
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Rodney v1 Feedback
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Rodney v2 Feedback
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Rodney v3 Feedback
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Upper Harbour Feedback
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Waiheke Feedback
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Waitākere Ranges Feedback
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Waitematā Feedback
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Whau Feedback
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Unknown Local Board Feedback v1
Dog Policy & Bylaw 2025 Unknown Local Board Feedback v2
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q1 Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q2A Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q2B Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q2C Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q2D Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q2E Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q2F Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q2G Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q2H Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q2I Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q2J Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q2 Other Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q3 Ambury Farm Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q3 Botanic Garden Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q3 Hunua Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q3 Long Bay Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q3 Mahurangi Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q3 Muriwai Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q3 Pākiri Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q3 Shakespear Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q3 Tāpapakanga Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q3 Tāwharanui Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q3 Te Ārai Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q3 Waitawa Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q3 Wenderholm Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q3 Whakanewha Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q3 Other Parks Comments
Dog Policy & Bylaw Q3 Other Comments
Local Dog Access Rules Summary of Feedback Report
Local dog access rules 2025 Aotea/Great Barrier Feedback
Local dog access rules 2025 Franklin Feedback
Local dog access rules 2025 Hibiscus and Bays Feedback
Local dog access rules 2025 Howick Feedback v1
Local dog access rules 2025 Howick Feedback v2
Local dog access rules 2025 Kaipātiki Feedback
Local dog access rules 2025 Ōrākei Feedback v1
Local dog access rules 2025 Ōrākei Feedback v2
Local dog access rules 2025 Ōrākei Feedback v3
Local dog access rules 2025 Puketāpapa Feedback v1
Local dog access rules 2025 Puketāpapa Feedback v2
Local dog access rules 2025 Rodney Feedback
Local dog access rules 2025 Upper Harbour Feedback
Local dog access rules 2025 Waiheke Feedback
Local dog access rules - Aotea/Great Barrier parks comments
Local dog access rules - Franklin parks comments
Local dog access rules - Hibiscus and Bays parks comments
Local dog access rules - Howick parks comments
Local dog access rules - Kaipātiki parks comments
Local dog access rules - Ōrākei parks comments
Local dog access rules - Puketāpapa parks comments
Local dog access rules - Rodney parks comments
Local dog access rules - Upper Harbour parks comments
About our policy and bylaw
Our policy helps us:
- keep dogs a positive part of the life of Aucklanders
- minimises the problems that dogs can cause
- ensures the welfare of dogs.
Our bylaw implements the policy.
What we are proposing
We have reviewed the policy and bylaw, and we want to:
- set a limit on the number of dogs a person can walk at one time in council-controlled public places
- clarify and update dog access rules for 14 regional parks
- clarify and update dog access rules for 64 local parks and beaches
- remove outdated or repeated information
- improve the layout and make the wording clearer.
Information sessions and Have Your Say events
To find out more about our proposals, you can attend:
- in-person and online information sessions
- ‘Have Your Say’ events.
These will take place between 30 January and 20 February 2025.
For a list of session dates and locations, download our Updated Schedule of Events [PDF 212KB].
What we want your feedback on
We want to know what you think of our proposals to:
- limit the number of dogs a person can walk at one time
- change the dog access rules at regional and local parks
- make the policy and bylaw clearer and easier to read.
How you can have your say
To give your feedback, you can:
- fill in the online feedback form
- register to attend a Have Your Say event
- email your completed feedback form to dogsbylawreview@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
- email dogsbylawreview@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz if you want to give your feedback using New Zealand Sign Language.
- call us on 09 301 0101 to make an appointment to give your feedback over the phone
- post your completed feedback form to:
Auckland Council
Dog Policy and Bylaw
Freepost Number 190198
Private Bag 92300
Victoria Street West
Auckland 1142.
When you can have your say
This consultation closed on Sunday 23 February 2025, 11.59pm. Thank you to those who had their say.
Have your say now
Feedback must be received by midnight Sunday 23 February 2025.