New Bylaws for Public Spaces feedback

Feedback closes on Sunday 18 January 2026

A graphic illustration showing various outdoor activities.

Our current Public Places Bylaw and Control of Advertising Signs Bylaw are expiring and we want to know what should replace them. 

These rules exist to keep public spaces safe and enjoyable for everyone. They cover things like: 

  • signs that can be seen from public places 
  • markets and mobile stalls  
  • events and performances in public places 
  • outdoor dining 
  • keeping footpaths clear 
  • vehicle crossing permits 
  • parking on grass berms 
  • horses on beaches 
  • nuisance and offensive behaviour. 

Read the full bylaws to see all the activities they cover: 

Other laws already regulate some behaviours, like alcohol sales. The new bylaws will work alongside those rules, not duplicate them. 

We expect the new bylaws to be in place by mid- to late 2026. 

Give us your feedback

Please provide your feedback by Sunday 18 January 2026.

Online

Complete the online feedback form.

New Bylaws for Public Spaces online feedback form

By email

Step 1: Download the form, print and complete it by hand.

New Bylaws for Public Spaces feedback form(PDF, 240KB)

Step 2: Email us

Attach the form to an email and send to:

BylawsConsult@wdc.govt.nz

Alternatively, you can put your comments in the text of the email or attach a separate document to the email.

By post

Step 1: Download the form, print and complete it by hand.

New Bylaws for Public Spaces feedback form(PDF, 240KB)

Step 2: Post the completed form to:

New Bylaws for Public Spaces feedback 

Whangarei District Council
Private Bag 9023
Te Mai
Whangārei 0143

In person

Step 1: Download the form, print and complete it by hand.

New Bylaws for Public Spaces feedback form(PDF, 240KB)

Step 2: Bring the completed form into one of our Customer Service centres:

Te Iwitahi (civic centre)
 9 Rust Avenue, Whangārei
Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:00am to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Ruakākā service centre 
9 Takutai Place, Ruakākā
Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30am to 4:00pm
Closed public holidays

Service centre at isite
92 Otaika Road, Raumanga
Hours: Monday to Friday – 9:00am to 12:00pm and 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

By phone

Call us and one of our friendly Customer Services staff will fill out this form for you over the phone.

New Bylaws for Public Spaces feedback form(PDF, 240KB)

Phone: 09 430 4200 or 0800 932 463

Discussions

Want to know the background? Read the discussions and decisions that led to this survey:

Please include your contact details so we can get back to you once the process is complete.

Your feedback is public under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987. Your name and feedback may be published and shared with elected members and the public. All other personal details you provide will remain private.

We follow the Privacy Act 2020 when collecting and using personal information.

Privacy statement

Keep a copy for yourself as we won’t return your submission once it is lodged with Council.

Everything you share will go to Council. Our team will review and analyse all the feedback, then provide a summary to Council.

Council will use this information to decide what any draft bylaws should look like before they go out for public consultation. 

Timeline

Feedback opens

Friday 5 December 2025

Feedback closes

Sunday 18 January 2026

Council discussion on feedback

Early to mid-2026

Consultation on draft bylaws

Mid-2026

New bylaws in force

Mid- to late 2026

Contact us

Email: BylawsConsult@wdc.govt.nz

Key documents

Expiring bylaws:

Public Places Bylaw(PDF, 2MB)

Control of Advertising Signs Bylaw(PDF, 240KB)

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