Dogs require regular exercise; however, there is often conflict between dog owners and non-dog owners. We request that you respect other people’s rights to use reserves when exercising your dog.
When setting up “Exercise and Prohibited areas” the Council has an obligation under the Dog Control Act 1996 to have regard to the exercise and recreational needs of dogs and to minimise danger, distress and nuisance to the community.
Most of the parks and reserves within the Kawerau District are designated as “dog exercise areas” where dog owners can exercise their dogs off-leash but must:
- Keep the dog under direct control at all times
- Remain in the designated dog exercise area with their dog
- Pick up dog faeces and place them in a rubbish bin.
Where any organised activity is being undertaken on playing fields and reserves, including specified dog exercise areas, dogs must be restrained as if in a public place.
The following places are designated by Council as dog exercise areas:
- All public reserves situated beside waterways and measuring at least one chain (20 metres) wide, including:
- Keith McKenzie Park
- Prideaux Park (except marked playing fields)
- Stoneham Walk
- Pat Baker Reserve
- Roy Weston Walk
- Tarawera Park (except marked playing fields)
- Lyn Hartley Reserve
- Firmin Field, and
- Boyce Park.
- Monika Lanham Reserve
- Hilldale Reserve (except the children’s playground)
- Stoneham Park
- Delamere Drive Reserve (the neighbourhood reserve between Delamere Drive, Valley Road and Ryder Place).
Note: Owners are required to keep their dogs on a leash at these areas during any organised activity.
Prohibited Areas
Dogs are not allowed at any time in prohibited areas which include all children’s playgrounds. If owners take their dogs into prohibited areas, they will be issued with an instant $300 fine.
Council has designated the following areas prohibited areas
- All the public children's playgrounds in the District
- The Maurie Kjar Swimming Pool Comples
- The Kawerau Cemetery is a prohibited area for the purpose of exercising dogs, but dogs are permitted to accompany any person visiting a grave or memorial, provided the dog is on a leash at all times.
