Tauranga Dog Rules: Year-Round Shark Alley Ban & New Bylaw Changes

Tauranga Animal Bylaw Review: New Leash Rules and Bans – Have Your Say

Tauranga City Council is proposing significant changes to its animal bylaws, impacting dog owners and those keeping poultry within the city limits. The proposed revisions, approved for public consultation on Tuesday, aim to balance responsible pet ownership with the protection of public spaces and native wildlife. Key changes include extending year-round dog restrictions to Shark Alley, tightening leash rules in popular areas, and introducing licensing requirements for multiple dog ownership and larger chicken flocks. Residents will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed bylaws from June 1st to July 1st.

Shark Alley and Beach Access Restrictions

Currently, dogs are prohibited year-round from Pilot Bay, Mauao, Mount Maunganui Main Beach, and Moturiki (Leisure Island). The council now proposes extending these restrictions to include Shark Alley, currently only restricted seasonally from August to January. This move comes after lobbying from community wildlife groups and the Department of Conservation, who highlighted the need to protect vulnerable species like the New Zealand dotterel, native skinks, diving petrels, and kororā.

Beyond Shark Alley, the council also intends to prohibit dogs from adjacent coastal dunes, grassed areas, boardwalks, and greenspace up to the Marine Parade kerb, except when passing through on a leash via designated accessways. These measures are designed to minimize harm to native wildlife in these sensitive areas.

Expanded Leash Rules

The proposed bylaws also expand leash requirements in several popular public spaces. While dogs are currently only required to be leashed on footpaths, the council is proposing extending this to include the Marine Parade Coastal Path, Pāpāmoa Shared Path, Beach Rd Pathway, heritage reserves, Masonic Park, Red Square, and the city centre waterfront from the Cargo Shed to the base of the Matapihi bridge. These changes aim to manage dog behavior in busier areas and protect heritage values.

Dogs would also be banned from cemeteries and fenced play spaces designed for young children or disabled people, with exemptions for disability assist dogs and for transiting through areas on a leash.

Licensing for Multiple Dogs and Poultry

Under the proposed rules, a license would be required for anyone owning more than two dogs on a property. This builds on the existing rule limiting dog ownership to two per person. A license will be needed to keep more than six chickens, or any poultry other than chickens, in a residential zone. The council states the licensing process will include property checks.

Cats and Bees: What’s Not Changing (Yet)

Notably, the draft bylaw does *not* include any new provisions specifically targeting cats. Officials explained that current legislation makes enforcing cat control tough, as the Animal Welfare Act, administered by the SPCA, governs cat welfare, while the Dog Control Act provides a framework for dog management.

The council is also proposing a more flexible approach to managing complaints about urban beehives, particularly those related to bee droppings. Currently, proving a specific hive is causing a nuisance is challenging, leading to lengthy investigations. The proposed amendment would allow the council to respond with advice or education, rather than immediately pursuing hive removal.

Confirmed vs. Unclear

Confirmed: The Tauranga City Council has approved the proposed animal bylaw changes for public consultation. The consultation period will run from June 1st to July 1st. Restrictions are already in place year-round at Pilot Bay, Mauao, Mount Maunganui Main Beach, and Moturiki (Leisure Island).

Unclear: Details regarding the specific fees associated with the new licensing requirements for dogs and poultry were not provided. The exact criteria for property checks related to licensing have not been specified. The full details of how the council will address bee-related complaints beyond offering advice and education remain unclear.

How the Process Works

The proposed bylaws are now open for public feedback. Residents can submit their opinions and suggestions during the consultation period, which begins on June 1st and ends on July 1st. Following the consultation, the council will review the feedback received and make any necessary adjustments to the bylaws before final adoption. This process ensures that the community has a voice in shaping the rules governing animal ownership and public space access within Tauranga.

– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

Ayla Yeoman is a Local Democracy Reporting journalist based in Tauranga.