by Metropol | November 12, 2025 8:31 am
On 3 November, new rules about managing dogs in public spaces came into effect, following the Christchurch City Council’s public consultation over its dog bylaw and policy across 2024 and 2025. The Council’s animal management manager Lionel Bridger says a lot has changed over the past 10 years.
“The rules have been tightened in some places to keep people, wildlife, stock, the environment, and dogs safe.” New areas that prohibit dogs or require leashes have emerged, as the Council focuses heavily on habitat restoration and wildlife protection. With more dogs than ever before, Lionel says that overall, the Christchurch and Banks Peninsula District is dog-friendly. “We have around 45,000 dogs registered to around 39,000 owners. Per capita, that’s about one dog for every nine people.”
“That is why we rely on people knowing the rules and doing the right thing,” he says. In some parts of New Zealand, dogs must be leashed everywhere, except in specified off-leash areas. “We didn’t want to take this approach,” Lionel says. “We’d rather that restrictions are in place only where necessary, so that there are lots of opportunities for dogs to be exercised on and off-leash.
An email outlining the rules was sent to registered dog owners, and information on the Council’s website was updated on 3 November 2025.
New rules have been set for the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor (former residential red zone) and for Te Kuru Wetlands in Halswell, aiming to balance wildlife protection and recreational access in these developing areas.
A new rule bans dogs from Te Ihutai Avon Heathcote Estuary, including the beach around Southshore Spit Reserve and near Shag Rock. The rules have also changed at Styx Mill Conservation Reserve. “Some areas across the district are vital habitats where birds roost, rest, breed and/or feed, and dogs pose a significant threat to them. This is the case in estuary, wetland and riverbank environments, especially for ground-nesting birds,” Lionel says.
“We’ve listened to community feedback that wildlife in these areas need protection from dogs – a lot of dog owners shared that sentiment.” A new rule states that dogs must be leashed on paths in green spaces such as parks, and limits the number of dogs a person can walk together in a public space – four dogs, with only two off-leash at a time in off-leash areas, including dog parks. Lionel says the Council is working on an exemption process for those with the skills required to exercise multiple dogs safely, for May 2026. “In the meantime, we’d like those people to follow all other rules, such as carrying a leash for each dog, picking up after their dogs, and following any leash requirements and prohibitions.”
The Council is required by law to update its dog bylaw and policy at least every 10 years, meaning it is likely the rules in place now will remain until about 2035.
Go to ccc.govt.nz/dogs for more information, including an interactive map.
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