Council will be considering changes to the default dog access rules across Auckland in an effort to standardise them, rather than allowing Local Boards to reflect their community’s wishes. The most significant change on the North Shore will be the proposal to change the default rule for all parks from “off-leash” to “on-leash” (unless otherwise specified by Local Boards).
While there are definitely areas that should be considered for changing from off-leash to on-leash, particularly some of our bush reserves, I’m very concerned at what could effectively be a sudden restriction on dogs from being able to catch a ball or exercise off-leash in every neighbourhood park across the North Shore.
There are also proposed changes to the Summer/Winter beach rules and multiple dog ownership rules.
(Note that the below article says that Shepherds Park is an on-leash park, however that is not correct. Like most parks, Shepherds Park is off-leash except for the sportsfields and playground).
