Enhancing public safety and helping dog owners understand their responsibilities have informed the amendments to the recently updated Waitomo District Dog Control Bylaw 2025 and Waitomo District Dog Control Policy 2025.

Following a review and consultation process in May this year, the bylaw and policy were both adopted by Council on 30 June 2025 and came into effect on 1 July 2025.

Main amendments include:

• All of Centennial Park in Te Kūiti is now a prohibited area for dogs, noting that on-leash dogs can be walked around the perimeter of the park (outside the bollards)
• Ward Street reserve will become an on-leash area only

General Manager Strategy and Environment, Alex Bell says during the review it was important to ensure that public safety was a focus and a main factor in updating the policy and bylaw.

At the close of the submission period, 12 submissions were received, and one submitter presented at the Council Hearings on 10 June 2025.

Overall, the submissions supported the change to Ward Street reserve becoming on-leash, and submissions are evenly split on the proposal to make Centennial Park a prohibited area for dogs.

“Council is investing in Centennial Park to promote further use as a sports ground and family friendly facility, so keeping dogs off the playing fields was considered beneficial. However, on-leash dogs can still be walked around the perimeter of the park - outside the bollards.

“The Ward Street Reserve is also not fenced and has a play centre nearby, which makes it unsuitable for an off-leash area given the potential for conflicting uses. Making the reserve an on-leash dog exercise area reduces the potential risks and ensures public safety.”

Submissions also highlighted a strong desire from the community for more dog friendly spaces in the district, specifically in Te Kūiti.

“Council has a number of sites that could potentially provide for this. Fencing and mowing are required for most of the sites that staff consider could be suitable, so it will require initial investment and some on-going maintenance,” says Alex.

“Each site has different advantages and disadvantages so a more extensive review and input from the community about what areas are favoured and the type of spaces, locations, and amenities dog owners would prefer.

“We are committed to considering future dog friendly areas and sites during the next Annual Plan/Long Term Plan when budgets and ratepayer funded projects are being explored.”

Summary of other changes:

• Mangaokewa Scenic Reserve has been removed as an off-leash exercise area. Mangaokewa Scenic Reserve is currently under the administration of Te Nehenehenui and WDC is no longer the administering body
• Special Owners clause in the Policy has been updated, where the final decision on the Special Owner application is at the discretion of an  Animal Control Officer.
• The Bylaw have been updated to provide more clarity on applying for a permit to keep more than two dogs of greater age than three months on or within any premises, other than zoned rural areas.

The Waitomo District Dog Control Bylaw 2025 and Waitomo District Dog Control Policy 2025 will soon be available on Council’s website.