Last week Auckland Council confirmed the latest dog management bylaws and policies including updated on leash, on/off leash areas at nine regional parks, and limits on the number of dogs that can be walked at once.
From 1 January 2026:
🐕 Qualified dog walkers can walk up to 12 dogs at once, on or off-leash, as long as they are kept under control. To walk up to 12 dogs, qualified dog walkers must register with the council and follow the conditions attached to their registration.
🐕 Other dog owners can walk a maximum of four dogs at once, with two off-leash, as long as they are kept under control.
On leash, off leash and dog-free areas have been updated in nine regional parks:
Auckland Botanic Gardens
Hunua Ranges Regional Park
Long Bay Regional Park
Mahurangi Regional Park
Pākiri Regional Park
Shakespear Regional Park
Tāpapakanga Regional Park
Waitawa Regional Park
Whakanewha Regional Park
The Governing Body agreed to some additional work being done before finalising changes to dog rules at Te Ārai Regional Park.
This is broadly in line with the feedback from the Howick Local Board which was a license for professional dog walkers as a sensible compromise that will provide for greater control of dogs without making commercial operations impossible.
Read more here: https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2025/06/bylaw-pup-dates-auckland-council-adopts-new-regional-dog-rules/