FAQs
minimising danger, distress and nuisance to the community;
protecting children and the public from the risks associated with uncontrolled dogs in public places;
enabling access public spaces without fear of attack or intimidation; and
recognising the exercise and recreational needs of dogs and their owners.
Four full-time Animal Control Officers
Four Animal Control vehicles
Uniforms and PPE for Officers
24/7 After-hours response service
Two pound facilities for roaming dogs
Dog training sessions (Wanaka and Queenstown)
Yearly community dog events
School education on dog safety
Dog bark collar loaning service
Signage on trails and reserves
Poo bags and dispensers
Lifelong dog registration tags
How has council developed the proposal?
Council started this review late-2025 by undertaking early engagement to understand how the current Dog Control Policy and Bylaw were working. This included engagement with stakeholders and a community survey which received over 800 submissions.
We heard that generally the settings were working well to keep the community safe and promote responsible dog ownership. Some key feedback included the importance of keeping shared trails and public spaces safe and enjoyable, protecting areas where children play, dogs needing to be under effective control while off leash and making sure the rules are practical, clear, and easy to understand
Council has considered this feedback, evaluated options and developed proposals for consultation.
Feedback received during consultation period will help inform Council's final decisions.
What must council consider when making a policy and bylaw?
The Dog Control Act 1996 requires that councils develop a dog control policy and give effect to it by adopting a bylaw.
When adopting a Dog Control Policy, Councils must have regard to:
The Act specifies the purposes which councils may make a bylaw (Section 20).
Will I still be able to walk my dog in parks and reserves across the district?
Yes. Most parks and reserves across the district allow dogs to be off leash while under effective control, others have some leash requirements.
Currently you aren’t allowed to have your dog at Queenstown Hill or Walkway. The proposal does include proposed changes to prohibit dogs from Pigeon and Pig Island and the fenced wetland area at the northern end of Lake Hayes.
How can I find out what is proposed for a specific park, reserve, or recreational track?
The Statement of Proposal link outlines the current rules and areas proposed for change.
You can also use the interactive dog control map link to see view proposed dog control rules across the district. Use the search function to find a specific address or location or zoom in to explore dog access rules in an area. Click on a mapped area to view the dog access rule and any associated restrictions.
How are dog registration fees set?
These fees are determined through the Council’s Annual Plan process, not through the review of the Bylaw or Policy. The Policy does provide a staggered fees framework to reward responsible ownership and self-compliance.
What are dog registrations spent on?
Your dog registration fees support the following:
Why are restrictions proposed in areas with protected wildlife?
During early engagement, we asked the community about whether they would agree with dog access controls being introduced for areas with sensitive environments. 77% of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed.
The draft Bylaw proposes new dog control rules for areas with protected wildlife. Areas including Mātau (Pig Island), Wāwāhi Waka (Pigeon Island, Lake Hayes, Shotover Wetland and Tucker Beach where ground nesting birds are present and conservation efforts are underway.
How will Council use feedback received during consultation?
Once the hearing panel has considered submissions and made its recommendations, Council will make final decisions in the first half of 2027.
Council may make other changes to the draft Bylaw and Policy in response to feedback, but anything that is a significant departure from the options set out in this proposal may require further consultation.