Animal Control

Council provides an Animal and Dog Control Service for the Waitomo District Community and is required to carry out specific statutory responsibilities as set out by the Law. This function involves the promotion of responsible animal ownership, animal welfare, management and control.

Animal Control involves the licencing of dogs, the promotion of responsible animal ownership and the control of wandering stock. The benefit to the District Community comes from the provision of general public advice, education, visits to schools and the prevention of harm to the members of the community through the identification of menacing or dangerous dogs and the associated prosecution of irresponsible dog owners.

For more information contact our Customer Service Centre on (07) 878-0800 or Freephone 0800 932 4357.

Dog Exercise Areas

The following areas are designated as Dog Exercise Areas:

• The eastern bank of the Mangaokewa River between Lawrence Street and the Te Kuiti Bowling Club.
• Ward Street Reserve, Te Kuiti.
• Mangaokewa Scenic Reserve.

Dogs In Conservation Areas

Any person wishing to take a dog into a Conservation Area within the District must first obtain a permit to do so from the Department of Conservation. Part 5C of the Conservation Act 1987 and Part 5A of the National Parks Act 1980 prescribe rules for control of dogs in Conservation Areas. The Minister of Conservation may declare areas managed by the Department of Conservation as open dog areas where owners may take their dogs without first obtaining a permit. The only exceptions to this rule are police and conservation dogs engaged in official duties and disability assistance dogs accompanying people with disabilities. No open dog areas have been declared in any of the areas in the Waitomo District managed by the Department of Conservation.

More information on dogs in conservation areas can be found on the website of the Department of Conservation www.doc.govt.nz

View a map of the District showing all the Department of Conservation areas in the Waitomo District. (PDF, 530 Kb)