Dogs

There are a number of areas within the Waimate District where dogs can be taken. Dogs are allowed anywhere in the district on a leash except for those particular areas identified as “Prohibited Public Places”.

Dog Prohibited Public Areas

Dogs are not allowed in these areas at any time.

• All designated and marked sports fields, children’s playgrounds and public swimming pools
• All cemeteries – Individual exemptions available subject to application
• The Sandhurst Bridge Reserve, Hakataramea Township
• Town Belt
• Seddon Square
• Boland Park
• Waimate Event Centre

Conservation/Wildlife Areas:

• Mount Nimrod Scenic Reserve (DOC)
• Otaio Scenic Reserve (DOC)
• Studholme Management Area (DOC)
• Waihao Box Wild Life Management Reserve (DOC)

Areas that from time to time, Council will notify by way of signage and public notification that there is a temporary dog prohibition in place because of wildlife, stock or other issue eg large public gatherings.

Dog Exercise Areas

Public places identified as areas where dogs may be exercised at large without necessarily being controlled on a leash. All dogs must be under control of the owner or person in charge of the dog at all times.

• Victoria Park excluding sport and play areas
• Knottingley Park excluding sport, play areas, and camp grounds
• Gretna Green
• Glenavy Reserve
• Waimate Dog and Agility Park
• St Andrews Camp Ground perimeter

Under Control

Means that the dog is not causing a nuisance or danger and that the person in charge of the dog has the dog under continual surveillance and is able to obtain the desired response from the dog by use of a lead and, when not on a leash, by use of voice commands, hand signals, whistles or other effective means.

All public places in the Waimate District area are classified as controlled public places where dogs may go when controlled on a leash, except for public places classified as 'Prohibited Public Places' or 'Dog Exercise Area'.

You can find the map in the link below showing where dogs can be exercised on/off the lead. Areas marked in green are designated dog exercise areas, however, you'll see certain areas marked in red - dogs are not allowed in these areas. They must, however, be under control at all times.

You can find the maps here: Dog Owners Information Guide 2025/2026

We've produced this brochure to let you know the important things about keeping a dog within the Waimate District. It covers what the rules are, where you can take your dog for exercise and how to make sure you and your dog have a great time out and about, and at home.

Dog Owners Information Guide 2026/27

The law requires all dogs over three months of age to be registered.

Dog registration fees help to fund a range of services that are designed to help dogs, their owners, and the wider community, such as:

• Monitoring and enforcing the Dog Control Act 1996 and ensuring compliance with the Waimate District Council Dog Control Policy and Bylaw.
• Responding to and investigating complaints/notifications (including dog rushes and attacks on people, domestic pets, stock and wildlife, barking nuisance, roaming, lost and found dogs).
• Prosecute and/or issue infringements in relation to Dog Control Act offences.
• Proactive patrolling of public areas, reserves, parks, beaches, sports fields throughout the Waimate District.
• Providing education programmes and campaigns in schools, community groups and businesses.
• Promoting community safety and the associated signage.
• Provide shelter services: impoundment, care for stray dogs and reuniting dogs with their owners.
• Providing 24/7 availability of Animal Management Officers
• There are additional costs associated with Animal Management vehicles, facilities, administration, records, (including updating the National Dog Database) and staff costs.

Dog registration is due for renewal on 1 July each year. If your dog is registered, you will be sent a re-registration form to the most current postal address you have listed. If you get a new dog you need to ensure it is registered with Council. Owners who do not register their dog may be issued with an infringement and fined.

Waimate District dog owners are reminded that it is the responsibility of the owner or person having control of a dog in public areas, to remove and dispose of any dog faeces immediately.

Dog walkers should carry suitable receptacles when walking a dog. Dogs must be kept on a leash and under control at all times, when they are in a public place.

It is an offence to keep a dog older than 3 months which is unregistered, and you may be issued with an infringement if you do not comply with this requirement. Where any dog is first required to be registered after 1st August in any registration year, the fee shall be 1/12th of the annual fee for each complete month remaining in the registration year after the date of such registration.

Payment options
Payment can be made by visiting the Pay Online section, or in person at Council's Main Office (125 Queen Street, Waimate).

View the current fees and charges

When the ownership of a dog changes, both the previous owner and the new owner, must give written notice of the change within 14 days to Council.

To change ownership, please contact Council at council@waimatedc.govt.nz

On the change of address of any dog or owner, the owner must, within 14 days, give written notice of the change to the Waimate District Council.

To change address, please advise Council on 03 689 0000, or email council@waimatedc.govt.nz

Where the fee for the registration of a dog is paid and that dog dies, a refund will be made on request as follows:

• Where a dog dies before the commencement of the year, the full fee will be refunded.
• Where the dog dies during the year, 1/12th of the annual fee for each complete month remaining in the registration year after the date of application for a refund will be refunded.

To register the death of your dog, please contact Council at council@waimatedc.govt.nz

Chapter 6 of the Waimate District Consolidated Bylaw has information about dog control, including dog exercise maps. Read the full chapter here.

Dogs requiring microchipping:

1. Any dog(s) registered for the first time on or after 1 July 2006, unless the dog(s) are kept solely or principally for the purpose of herding or droving stock.
2. You may be required to complete a Declaration of a Working Dog

A "Working Dog" is that which is kept, solely or principally, for the purpose of herding or driving stock. Refer to Forms for further information.

Unless it’s a farm working dog (that doesn’t include farm pet dogs), all dogs must be microchipped otherwise there’s a $300 fine. If your dog is impounded for a second time (even if it’s a working dog) it will be microchipped at your cost.

Once your dog has been microchipped give Council a copy of the Implantation Certificate so we can add your dog’s information to the NZ National Dog Database (NDD). This makes it much easier to reunite your dog if it becomes lost. Being registered on the NDD is required by law and is New Zealand wide.

You can also have your dog or cat registered on the Companion Animal Register (C.A.R.). This site allows vets and the SPCA access to the information which can be useful in case of a medical emergency.

Note: The C.A.R. is not part of the NDD and is not required by law.

Dog owners who meet the criteria may apply to Council to have 'selected owner' status.

Please check with Council on 03 689 0000 for further information.

To apply for selected owner status, please complete the application form.

A license is required to keep three or more dogs in an urban zoned area.

Selected Owner Status is required before a three or more can be considered. Both can be applied for at the same time.

To apply for a license to keep three or more dogs, please complete this form.

Subject to Section 10A of the Dog Control Act 1996, Council is required to report annually on dog policy and practices each financial year. Please see below for the latest report.

2024-25 Annual Dog Control Report
2023-24 Annual Dog Control Report
2022-23 Annual Dog Control Report
2021-22 Annual Dog Control Report
2020-21 Annual Dog Control Report

Waimate District Council Animal Control Department
P. +64 3 689 0000 (available 24/7)
E. animalcontrol@waimatedc.govt.nz