Dogs are allowed on most beaches in the Whangārei District, except for the conservation ban locations listed below.
Between December and January, dogs are only allowed on most beaches before 9:00am or after 5:00pm (except conservation ban locations).
Bream Bay has two year-round dog exercise beach areas. These are well sign-posted.
- Ruakākā Beach from Mair Road to Karawai Street
Ruakākā dog exercise area(PDF, 138KB)
- Uretiti from the camping ground to Tip Road
Uretiti dog exercise area(PDF, 82KB)
Remember:
- clean up after your dog and follow all the usual good safety measures
- don't leave dogs in cars, the temperature can rise to a terminal point in a very short time even when windows are cracked
- always take water and a bowl for the dog to drink from
- breaching a dog control bylaw can result in a fine of $300.
Conservation ban areas
Some estuaries and beaches have dog bans all year-round, to protect wildlife and other endangered birds. Keep an eye out for the signs about them.
Dogs are banned from all bush reserves as many are habitats for kiwi.
No dogs are allowed at all times:
- Bland Bay including North Head Scenic Reserve
- Bream Head Scenic Reserve and Ocean Beach, north of the main surf beach
- Kauri Mountain Beach (the northern part of Ocean Beach)
- Matapōuri estuary, upstream of both bridges and on conservation land at the northern end of Matapōuri beach
- Matakohe (Limestone Island)
- Mimiwhangata Coastal Park
- Ngunguru sandspit, and south of the sandspit, including the HoraHora River
- One Tree Point, from Marsden Point, past the marina to the end of the beach
- Ruakākā River and estuary
- Waipū River and estuary
- Waipū Cove from Tip Road to Camp Waipū Cove
- Whananaki sandspit and Otamure Bay
More detail and maps of the conservation ban areas can be found below.