Exercising your dog

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My Property » Dog, animal and stock control » Dog control and ownership » Exercising your dog

Updated bylaw took effect from 31 March 2025

The Dog Control Policy and Bylaw was adopted in December 2024 and took effect from 31 March 2025. The map below reflects the changes included in the new policy and bylaw.

You can open the map in a new window here.

Basic rules for walking your dog

Dog faeces must be removed immediately and hygienically disposed of. Doggie Doo bags are available free of charge from all Council offices and in dispensers around the district.

Your dog must respond to voice commands, hand signals or other effective means of control when off the leash.

Tasman District Council Dog Control Bylaw (pdf 26 MB)

Dogs are prohibited or restricted in the following areas during the following times:

Tukurua Beach (camp frontage) - November – February inclusive: dogs prohibited.

Pōhara Beach from eastern camp boundary to Selwyn Street Reserve - November – February inclusive: dogs must be under leash control.

Pariwhakaoho River Mouth: September – February inclusive: dogs prohibited. March – August inclusive: dogs must be under leash control.

Lower Moutere Recreation Reserve - December – February inclusive dogs prohibited – except for Dog Obedience and Tracking classes.

The following areas have multiple time and date restrictions:

Tata Beach

21 January – 19 December inclusive: Sunset - 8:30am: dogs prohibited. 8:30am – sunset: sontrolled exercise area.

20 December to 20 January inclusive: Sunset - 8:30am and 10am - 5pm : dogs prohibited. 8:30am - 10am and 5pm – sunset: controlled exercise area.

Little Kaiteriteri Beach

November – February inclusive: dogs prohibited, except between the hours of 8:00am and 11:00am

March – October inclusive: dogs prohibited between 5:00pm and 9:00am Controlled Exercise Area between 9:00am and 5:00pm

Dummy and Stephens Bay

November – February inclusive: Dogs prohibited between 8:00pm and 8:00am. Controlled exercise between 8:00am and 8:00pm

March – October inclusive: Dogs prohibited between 5:00pm and 9:00am. Controlled exercise between 9:00am and 5:00pm.

Dogs are prohibited on all Council sports fields and complexes, and within 10 metres of playground equipment and picnic tables. Dogs are also prohibited in the specific areas indicated on the Dog Exercise Areas map.

Additional restrictions - Abel Tasman Foreshore Scenic Reserve

Please note that a separate bylaw governs the Abel Tasman Foreshore Scenic Reserve, and dogs are prohibited - with a very few exceptions.

Dogs are not allowed in the Abel Tasman National Park.
Dogs are not allowed on Tonga, Adele and Fisherman islands including the beach/foreshore.
Dogs are not allowed on the Abel Tasman Foreshore Scenic Reserve (beach area between the mean high water and mean low water mark) between Coquille Bay and Wainui.

Dog access exemptions brochure (pdf 13 MB)

Exemptions

Dogs are allowed on the foreshore adjacent to private land (Awaroa and Torrent Bay and Little Anchorage) if under control.
Dogs must be on leashes if taken across the Awaroa Inlet within the Awaroa Vehicle Access Corridor.
The bach owner at Stilwell Bay may exercise their dogs on the foreshore in that location if under control.
Guide dogs permitted in all locations.
Hunting dogs in approved locations with valid permit only.

View section 9 of the Bylaw on the DOC website for full details.

Definitions

For the areas that are prohibited "in Summer", we mean from 1 December to 1 March.

Exception to dog prohibited areas

This prohibition of dogs from specified areas does not apply to game hunting dogs engaged in legitimate hunting activities during the recognised hunting season.