From early morning walks along the beach to afternoons at the park, dogs are part of everyday life in Tauranga, but where and how they’re allowed in public spaces is now up for discussion.
From early morning walks along the beach to afternoons at the park, dogs are part of everyday life in Tauranga, but where and how they’re allowed in public spaces is now up for discussion.
For the first time since 2018, Tauranga City Council is reviewing its Dog Management Policy and Bylaw and Keeping of Animals Bylaw, asking residents for feedback on a range of possible changes to how animals are managed across the city.
Over that time, Tauranga has grown rapidly and the way people use shared spaces has evolved, meaning the rules need reviewing to make sure they still reflect how people live, move and enjoy the city today.
The conversation goes beyond just where dogs can go. It includes questions about how to better protect vulnerable wildlife along the coast, whether some spaces should be dog-free, and how animals are managed in shared public places. It also looks at practical issues closer to home, like how many dogs or chickens should be allowed on a property, and whether people walking multiple dogs should need a licence.
General Manager of Regulatory and Community Services, Sarah Omundsen, says the review is about getting the balance right between pet ownership, public safety and protecting the environment.
“We know how important pets are to many people in Tauranga, and for a lot of households dogs are part of the family,” says Sarah.
“At the same time, we need to make sure the rules work for everyone, including people who don’t own animals, as well as protecting our natural spaces and wildlife.”
Some of the options being explored include stronger protections for sensitive coastal areas, like dunes and parts of the Mount Maunganui coastline, where wildlife can be easily disturbed. Other questions focus on everyday community spaces, from whether dogs should be allowed in cemeteries, to whether they should be on-leash in busy areas like popular walkways, the waterfront and city parks.
Sarah says nothing has been decided, and that’s where the community comes in.
“We’re putting a range of ideas on the table. Some people will agree with them, some won’t. That’s exactly what we want to hear,” she says.
“For some, this will be about protecting the environment. For others, it’s about making sure they can enjoy time outdoors with their dogs. We need to understand all of those perspectives before we make any decisions.”
The review also explores how council manages animals more broadly, including whether to introduce new licensing requirements in some situations, how to manage issues like poultry in residential areas, and when education might work better than enforcement.
This stage of consultation builds on earlier feedback gathered in 2025, which helped identify the key issues now being explored in more detail.
Public consultation on the draft options will run from 2 June to 2 July 2026.
You can find out more and complete the survey at letstalk.tauranga.govt.nz/animalrules