WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AUCKLAND’S NEW DOG RULES
Source: RNZ (Extract)
Posted: June 30, 2025
Auckland Council has adopted new regional dog rules, setting limits on how many dogs a person can walk at once and where dogs are allowed.
Approved at last Thursday’s Governing Body meeting, the changes include updated leash, off-leash, and dog-free zones across nine regional parks, along with a cap on the number of dogs that can be walked at the same time.
Councillor Josephine Bartley said the review of Auckland’s Dog Policy and Bylaw was necessary to ensure shared spaces remain safe and enjoyable for everyone.
“Aucklanders love getting out with their dogs, especially in our beautiful regional parks,” Bartley said. “These updated rules aim to balance the needs of dog owners with those of others who also use these public spaces.”
Qualified dog walkers in Auckland will soon be allowed to walk up to 12 dogs at a time—on or off-leash—provided the dogs are kept under control.
To do so, they must register with the council and meet specific conditions tied to their registration. In contrast, all other dog owners will be limited to walking a maximum of four dogs at once, with no more than two off-leash, and only if they can manage them responsibly.
“We’ve listened to public feedback and understand that commercial dog walking is a growing industry, with many walkers regularly using public spaces across Auckland,” said Councillor Josephine Bartley.
To support the industry safely and responsibly, the council is introducing a registration system. This will allow qualified commercial dog walkers to manage larger groups, provided they follow the rules and maintain control, ensuring public spaces remain enjoyable for everyone.
The new dog-walking limits will take effect on 1 January 2026.
In addition, changes to on-leash, off-leash, and dog-free zones will come into effect from 1 August 2025 at nine regional parks:
- Auckland Botanic Gardens
- Hunua Ranges Regional Park
- Long Bay Regional Park
- Mahurangi Regional Park
- Pākiri Regional Park
- Shakespear Regional Park
- Tāpapakanga Regional Park
- Waitawa Regional Park
- Whakanewha Regional Park
Work is still underway to finalise changes at Te Ārai Regional Park.
“Dogs are clearly a cherished part of life in Tāmaki Makaurau—with over 135,000 registered by the end of 2024,” Bartley said. “But our regional parks also provide critical habitat for native species like the northern dotterel and the endangered fairy tern. Unfortunately, dogs can pose a real threat to these vulnerable birds and their environments.”
You can find the full list of dog access rules in the council’s Policy on Dogs here.
