Category: Auckland Council

Source: Auckland Council

If you’re looking for new places and walks to explore with your dog this summer, you’ll find hundreds of options across Tāmaki Makaurau. Here are a few of our top picks ordered by location:  

North/West 

Birkenhead and Northcote offer a range of bush and beach options, as well as spectacular views across the inner Waitematā Harbour and a number of dog-friendly cafes. Kauri Point Domain is off-leash at all times and you can follow a track down to Fitzpatrick Bay where dogs can enjoy an off-leash paddle between 5pm and 10am in summer and anytime in other months. 

Sanders Reserve 

Sanders Reserve is a scenic coastal reserve in the north-west overlooking the Waitematā.  

There is an easy gravel loop path lined with mānuka trees and native bush that circles a fenced off-leash dog exercise area. After enjoying the short loop walk your dog can enjoy a run around in the open green spaces. 

Most dog walkers start this walk at the bottom of Sanders Road for easy access. You can also start at the main car park by the pavilion and playground and follow the signs towards the dog zone in the south-eastern part of the reserve. 

Te Ara Manawa / Hobsonville Point Path 

Hobsonville Point is an old Air Force community that has been redeveloped into a well-planned urban environment sitting on the water’s edge.  

The Te Ara Manawa / Hobsonville Point Path is a sixty-minute walk that meanders along the waterfront and through the new housing developments. You can find parking near the ferry terminal, which is a good place to start your walk. Dogs need to stay on their leashes, but there is an off-leash dog area at Te Onekiritea Point not far from the ferry stop.  

Take in the stunning views and beautiful landscaping along the waterfront as you walk or cycle past the Old Wharf Lookout, the former officers’ accommodation and Chichester Cottage.

Ōrākei Basin  

Enjoy a walk around this picturesque lagoon located in a volcanic crater. The suggested starting point is Purewa Road in Meadowbank. You can access the walk from Ōrākei and Meadowbank train stations, and there are also entry points on Meadowbank Road, Lucerne Road, Upland Road and Ōrākei Road. 

Admire views over the Auckland city skyline and you may even be able to enjoy watching some water sports as you walk.  Ōrākei Basin also has a large off-leash area – just remember to pay attention to the signs and observe the on-leash restrictions. 

Ōrākei Basin is a picturesque lagoon located in a volcanic crater, known for its watersports. This walk takes you around the edge of the basin using the boardwalk and the bridge across the Purewa arm of the basin.

There is a fantastic off-leash dog area with a wide expansive green space for dogs to run around (please check the signs). 

If you have kids in tow check out the two great playgrounds with adventure equipment, flying fox, and a large tunnel slide.  

South/East 

Macleans Park 

Enjoy a walk through Macleans Park with spectacular views to the Hauraki Gulf, Rangitoto and Waiheke Islands.  

Start at Macleans Road, or from any of the access points to Macleans Park from local streets. The loop winds through regenerating bush and wetland areas and your dog can enjoy an extra run around in the off-leash reserve areas.  

The kids play area is also a great spot to relax and take in the scenery, make sure you keep your dog on the leash when near the playground. 

Fantastic walk through Macleans Park combining bush, wetlands and spectacular sea views. Off-leash reserve areas make the route ideal for dog walking.

Tōtara Park

Take your furry friend for a walk along the fringe of a Tōtara forest at Tōtara Park. Enter Tōtara Park from the Wairere Road entrance, and head left until you find the gates that mark the start of the path.  

Ōwairaka / Mt Albert pathway.

Ōwairaka / Te Ahi-kā-a-Rakataura / Mt Albert 

Enjoy expansive views over the city as you walk among the trees on one of Auckland’s ancestral maunga. Your dog must remain on their leash while walking in the park, however there is a dedicated off-leash exercise area halfway around the loop where you can let your furry friend get all of that excess energy out.  

Waiatarua Reserve 

Waiatarua Reserve, off Abbotts Way in Remuera, is well known and loved for its path around the wetlands where you and your canine companions can enjoy an off-leash walk (put the leash back on in the main central wetland area and on viewing platforms) and a dog swimming hole. Northern Remuera is also home to Waiata Reserve, between Victoria Avenue and Orakei Road, where there’s off-leash access at all times. 

Enjoy the good network of paths around the reserve and watch out for bird life – there are several bird viewing areas off the main path.

Rules for walking your dog in public places 

To keep everyone safe there are rules for walking your dog in public places like parks, reserves, pathways, beaches and tūpuna maunga (ancestral mountains) across Auckland. 

In general, dogs must be on-leash at all times in all council-controlled public places with unrestricted access. It’s a little different for beaches, where summer and winter restrictions apply. During the winter months more relaxed hours for dogs off-leash start from 2 March, while throughout the summer months (until 1 March) dogs are not allowed on most beaches between 10am to 5pm. 

Additionally off-leash walks and exercise are allowed outside these hours. Remember that even though your dog is off-leash you’ll need to make sure they are still under control. 

It’s best to visit Auckland Council’s website before leaving home to find out exactly what rules apply where. You can also find more fantastic walking spots for you and your dog on our website.

Source: Auckland Council

Watercare is laying the groundwork for its first permanent non-potable tanker filling station in Māngere.

The $1.2 million filling station will be available to commercial customers for non-drinking purposes such as dust suppression, house cleaning, irrigation, and process water.

It is being built a block away from the Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant, on the corner of Greenwood and Ascot roads.

Watercare chief operations officer Mark Bourne says the filling station will replace the last remaining temporary non-potable tanker filling station in Penrose.

“The Penrose non-potable tanker filling station was one of four commissioned to support commercial and construction services affected by water restrictions during the height of the 2020 drought.

“After the drought, all the stations except for the one in Penrose were closed due to the high running costs and upgrades required to keep them operating.”

Watercare head of water planning Tim Scheirlinck describes the non-potable tanker filling station as a cost-effective solution for commercial and construction partners.

“We anticipate achieving full cost recovery for the new permanent tanker filling station at Māngere, with the revenue generated from the sale of non-potable water expected to cover ongoing operational costs.”

Project manager Mohamed Abdelmageed says the filling station will draw water from an established bore that is already on-site.

“We project that the filling station will be able to service around 20 tankers a day. The filling station will be fully automated. Tanker drivers will need to use a swipe card to fill up their tanker. The filling station will be able to store up to 120,000 litres across its four tanks.”

Watercare project manager Mohamed Abdelmageed says the tanker filling station will be able to store up to 120,000 litres across its four tanks.

Abdelmageed says the tanker filling station will only be designed to fill one tanker at a time.

“From the tanks, the water goes to a tanker filling shed which has a fire hose connection for them to fill up from.

“Tanker operators need to connect their own hoses to the filling point and fill their trucks at the top.”

Abdelmageed says the non-potable filling station is expected to be completed by the end of March.

The permanent non potable tanker filling station is on track to be completed in March.

“The construction of the filling station will be straightforward.

“Most of the work will be carried out between 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Work on Saturdays will only take place if necessary.

“Traffic management will only be in place while the vehicle crossing is being constructed.”

Source: Auckland Council

Pique your senses in our city centre this Lunar New Year.

Midtown’s lanes and squares will be alive with a creative and cultural buzz inspired by Asian traditions and infused with a unique Auckland flavour.

From 26 January to 22 February, feel uplifted by the colours, sounds, tastes and beats of Asia, joining millions around the world who celebrate Lunar New Year.

Throughout the festival, we invite you to take part in the inaugural Bao and Boba promotion. It’s simple; if you dine in the city centre and vote for your top shop you’ll be in to win.

Sculptures bring smiles

Shown first at the Louvre Museum in Paris and later in London, Berlin, Kobe and Sydney among other cities, Chubby Women by acclaimed Chinese artist Xu Hongfei are coming to Aotea Square. These light-hearted, body-positive sculptures of voluptuous women – reminiscent of masterpieces by Titian and Rubens – bring smiles wherever they go.

Lucky Cats beckon

The Lucky Cat figurine beckons good fortune and prosperity, so don’t miss our selfie sensation in the making. By the clocktower of the Auckland Town Hall you’ll meet a three metre high Lucky Cat popping cute finger-hearts in Kiwi style. In Darby Street neon red Lucky Cats will shine from lamp posts and in Bledisloe Lane lightboxes will display Asian art.

Promenade of flavours

Immerse yourself in a free summer event transforming Te Hā o Hine (Khartoum Place) and Lorne Street into an exciting Asian street festival. Cheer the crews in the street dance battle or relax and learn Tai Chi.

Enjoy delicious food on a promenade of outdoor tables where a food ambassador will share with you the history of the dish you’re enjoying. Experience a real sense of community while watching dragon dances, traditional instrument buskers, local Asian musicians and storytellers.

Read more about the Midtown Street Party for Lunar New Year at OurAuckland.

Lion dances and bubble tea

At Auckland Art Gallery, witness the spectacular Tung Tek lion dancers performing on the forecourt, chilled sounds from DJ EDY and guitarist Sam Nakamura, bubble tea, a menu of family-focused workshops inspired by delicious yee sang, and many other exciting Lunar New Year activities.

Read more about Auckland Art Gallery events here.

Karaoke and mahjong

And bring the whole family to Lunar New Year in Aotea Square as part of Auckland Live’s Summer in the Square. Experience gravity-defying dance, the Lunar New Year karaoke competition and mahjong workshops teaching the classic game, and myriad more.

Read more about Lunar New Year in Aotea Square at OurAuckland.

Scroll through to the full Lunar New Year programme with dates, times and venues at OurAuckland.

Auckland Council Lunar New Year festival director Eric Ngan says our growing pan-Asian population is an asset to Auckland. He says young Asian Kiwis are proud of their roots, enjoy life in this city, and continue to creatively evolve their traditions.

“The tradition of sharing time and food together is as strong as ever in the weeks of Lunar New Year. The metaphors that speak to the phases of the moon – change, brightness, and wholeness – are reflected in the nature of our Lunar New Year celebrations, such as family reunion dinners, striving for harmony and an aspirational future,” he says.

The Lunar New Year Festival is proudly supported by the city centre targeted rate.

Source: Auckland Council

Northcote has always suffered from terrible stormwater flooding. It’s located in the historic trajectory of the Awataha Stream and the middle of an overland flow path. As such, after heavy rain, the town centre and surrounding homes have historically been prone to flooding.

To address these flooding problems, as well as reconnect local communities with their awa using green infrastructure, Eke Panuku has been working with Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters team, Kāinga Ora Homes and Communities, Kaipātiki Local Board and mana whenua, in recent years, to put water sensitive design principles into practice.

With the record-breaking downpour in Auckland experienced on Friday 27 January, the new stormwater infrastructure in Northcote was tested to the max.

Two significant projects completed at the end of last year as part of Te Ara Awataha – Northcote’s new greenway – made all the difference in the face of the deluge that hit Tāmaki Makaurau. These were the daylighting of the Awataha Stream and the transformation of Greenslade Reserve into a stormwater detention park. 

“Bringing the Awataha Stream to the surface provided better stormwater management in Northcote by allowing flood water to be channelled along the stream bed, rather than through private property. Having the water flow through an open channel provides much greater capacity than the older piped network. And, in this instance, it had the added benefit of keeping the parts of the older pipe in place, diverting a portion of the higher flood flows back into the pipe to provide even more flood capacity,” says Nicholas Vigar, Head of Network Planning at Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters.

Te Ara Awataha greenway network links existing and new reserves, providing areas for recreation and conservation. When not in flood, the returned stream bed will improve water quality and create habitat for manu (birds), ngāngara (insects) and tuna (eels) once more. The paths alongside the stream have rapidly become a valuable means of connection – both to local destinations and to nature.

Greenslade Reserve makes up another critical part of the greenway and stormwater infrastructure. The reserve was transformed last year to address flooding problems. This included a planted urban wetland and detention basin.

The reserve was designed to manage a one in 100-year flood event by detaining and slowing the release of water (able to handle approximately five Olympic size pools worth!). In late January, this proved critical.

At its peak, January’s downpour exceeded a one in 100-year event. Water overflowed into the street network, but the detention of 12 million litres of water on the sport field meant that flooding downstream was predominantly within the street network and damage to property was minimal compared to previous (lesser) events.  When not in flood, Greenslade Reserve now provides a top-class sports field and recreational facility.

Kate Cumberpatch, Eke Panuku Priority Location Director – North, said: “The weather conditions were unprecedented, but we’re delighted that the new stormwater management infrastructure provided protection for the residents of Northcote! It did what it was designed to do, diverting and managing the extreme amounts of rainwater and preventing the extent of flooding we have seen in the past.”

Source: Auckland Council

Emerging Kiwi songstress Cassie Henderson has just found her name in the same sentence as Dua Lipa, Coldplay and Six60.

Cassie’s song Seconds to Midnight was too good to miss.

For the young star, hearing her hit song alongside the biggest songs of the year – and opening and closing the soundtrack with two much-loved Kiwi anthems – will be a pinch-me moment this New Year’s Eve in Auckland. 

Seven songs make up the ‘midnight moment’ soundtrack, put together by MediaWorks to synchronise with the Vector Lights lightshow on the Auckland Harbour Bridge and SkyCity’s fireworks display from the SkyTower.

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is the first major international city to welcome in the New Year and people will enjoy watching from vantage points all around the city.

Aucklanders can livestream the audio on MoreFM 91.8fm or online at vector.co.nz/lights. A livestream video of Vector Lights can also be watched online at facebook.com/vectornz.

The mix of seven songs bringing in 2025 are:

• Cassie Henderson – Seconds to Midnight

• Shapeshifter – Electric Dream

• Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso

• Coldplay – feelslikeimfallinginlove / A Sky Full Of Stars remix

• Dua Lipa – Training Season

• Benson Boone – Beautiful Things

• Six60 – Kia Mau Ki Tō Ūkaipō / Don’t Forget Your Roots

For all details about where to watch, road closures, transport, and how to stay safe if you decide to travel into the city centre, please visit OurAuckland.  

Sky Tower Fireworks

The five-minute and 30-second-long Sky Tower fireworks display, which is the highest in the Southern Hemisphere, will start with a 10-second countdown projected onto the base of the tower. Following this, 500 kgs of pyrotechnics will be launched from three purpose-built firing sites mounted onto levels 55, 61 and 64 of the Sky Tower (200-240M above ground.)

Planning of the fireworks display started six months ago, with pre-production and programming of the firing field computers and address signal boxes. The installation of the equipment required for the big event will take 250+ hours and includes 14 kilometres of electrical cabling and wiring and 1500 lines of programming code.

Photo Credit: Skycity Entertainment Group.

Vector Lights

90,000 colour-changing LEDs on the Auckland Harbour Bridge, as well as 100 spotlights under the roadway, will blackout before a pulsing effect counts down to the new year from 10-seconds to midnight. A dynamic and colourful display will burst on the bridge for the next five minutes and will replay every 15 minutes; last showing at 1.00am.

Vector Lights has been installed on the harbour bridge since 2018, showcasing Vector’s smart energy technology and innovation. 248 solar panels situated in Wynyard Quarter generate energy that is then stored in a Tesla Powerpack (battery) at the Jellicoe Street Car Park. Smart meters at the battery site and on the bridge relay data between each other every 10-seconds, ensuring the energy used to power Vector Lights is released back into the energy grid (peer-to-peer system).

Due to critical maintenance work by NZTA, some of Vector Lights will not appear on the west side overarch of the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Completion of the work is expected by 31 March 2025.

Source: Auckland Council

We invite you to reset your summer with a stroll through our city centre.

With ever-changing streetscapes, award-winning spaces, re-imagined laneways and new shared paths, you’ll find it has a fresh outlook on life.  

Make a day of it and discover what’s new since you were here last.

Feel the sea breathe

Grab an ice cream and discover ten awe-inspiring things on Auckland’s waterfront. Some have been here for more than a century. Others weren’t even here last summer.

Inspiring the protection of our harbour, a heritage kiosk at the western end of Te Wānanga has been turned into a cultural and marine education space. Make sure Te Wharekura is on your must-visit list. Read more here.

Top 10 things to discover in our new downtown this summer

Where do the children play?

Let your kids’ imaginations run wild with endless ways to play at Wynyard Quarter. From public art to parks, murals, basketball and fountains, there are multiple ways to keep the kids busy in the city centre.

8 fun ways for kids to play at Wynyard Quarter

Laneways beckon

Queen Street has been given a makeover from Aotea Square to Customs Street. So buckle up the bike helmets, scoot along our new Waihorotiu path, and duck away into a labyrinth of laneways – some new, some ageing gracefully, all fascinating.

Channeling Melbourne, our dreamy laneways are set for summer.

Art that sings

Much-acclaimed artwork Waimahara in Myers Park is now interactive. Signage and QR codes in the park will guide you to sing a special waiata. The artwork will listen and respond, accompanying you with an awe-inspiring display of light and sound.   

It’s a spell-binding experience – sing with new artwork Waimahara

Urban charm

Weave a path from Te Komititanga – the square at the waterfront end of Queen Street – and find a stunning new shared space: Galway Street. Once you’ve let yourself be captivated by the area’s urban charm, the smoothed edges of the street will lead you to one of Auckland’s hospitality gems: Britomart and Takutai Square. 

Discover what’s new where Queen Street meets the sea 

Midtown’s new outdoor gallery

A once reflective, quiet urban backyard used mainly by the residents, has become a living art experience. Since Joe Sheehan’s artwork Lost & Found – a series of eight intricately carved boulders – was installed in midtown’s upper Federal Street, people passing through have had a front row seat to view this extraordinary work of art.

Touch the satin-smooth surfaces of Joe Sheehan’s Lost & Found

City centre parks

Even our green spaces are refreshed. Discover the Fort Street pocket park in Queen Street, award-winning Amey Daldy Park at Wynyard Quarter, and much-loved city centre oasis: Myers Park.

10 parks to explore in Auckland’s city centre

Ridgeline between harbours

Everyone loves the adrenalin which is unique to our charismatic Karangahape Road. The old narrow footpaths were once jam-packed. Now there’s room to experience the layers of Karangahape, where every detail tells a story.

10 delightful moments to experience in Karangahape Road this summer

Source: Auckland Council

The enchanting vocals of Georgia Lines will headline the third of 18 free concerts in this summer’s Music in Parks series.

Georgia will be supported by popular artists Fin Rah Zel, Fan Club, and Rumpus Machine in a concert in Auckland’s city centre on Saturday 18 January. Time and place details on Our Auckland here.

Chart-topping singer / songwriter, Georgia was awarded Breakthrough Artist at the Aotearoa Music Awards (AMA’s) in 2022. She is bringing her catchy R&B-infused pop to Aotea Square, a venue that has made a name for itself in music folklore over decades.

Don’t miss this iconic summer music series playing across the region throughout summer. In 2025 it returns to the city centre after a five-year absence, thanks to funding from the city centre targeted rate. Read more about Music and Movies in Parks at OurAuckland.

And for the second free concert in Aotea Square this summer, diary 20 February for the Music in Parks After Work Special. Join one of Aotearoa’s most acclaimed singer-songwriters Anna Coddington for an uplifting pop-up performance, as part of Auckland Live Summer in the Square. Learn more on OurAuckland here.

Anna Coddington, musician.

The venue’s backstory

Looking back at the history of music in Aotea Square, three big anniversaries converge.

Fifty years ago Split Enz first played at the Town Hall, on the edge of the square – it was 1975. In December 1984, 40 years ago, the square was the tipping point for the Queen Street riots after local bands Herbs, DD Smash and The Mockers had entertained the crowd.

In 2005 a Shihad gig inadvertently damaged part of the square, and the roof of the carpark below. The huge crowd’s energetic dancing caused an overload on the now-reinforced surface.

Fast forward twenty years to 2025 and Georgia Lines will play a more mellow vibe for Music in Parks’ return to the city’s arts quarter, where organisers agree ‘history never repeats’!

Georgia Lines’ global career

Reading Georgia’s bio, it’s clear that this artist is emerging as a prominent figure in the New Zealand music scene. She is establishing herself as a household name at home, and her star is rising globally.

Known for her infectious personality and chart-topping hits, Georgia has captivated a steadily growing fanbase. She recently played seven showcases with her band at SXSW, receiving 5-star reviews.

Strengthening her global footprint further, she has inked a deal with the prestigious US booking agent Wasserman Music and her success story has expanded with the release of her recent singles Monopoly and Romeo.

Monopoly claimed the coveted #1 spot as the most added song to radio in Aotearoa, and carved a consistent presence in the top 10 airplay charts for four consecutive weeks.

Romeo secured its own milestone, topping the charts and dominating New Zealand’s airwaves throughout the summer of 2023/24.

Music and Movies in Parks

Aucklanders are invited to gather friends and whānau and pack a picnic rug or grab a meal or snacks from one of the many eateries in midtown: Aotea Arts Quarter| Heart of the City.

And as the season unfolds, head to parks around the region for a fun-filled season of free outdoor entertainment. After 32 years of Music in Parks, later joined by Movies in Parks, Auckland Council is set to deliver a show-stopping lineup of concerts and screenings.

Councillor Richard Hills, chair of the Auckland Council Policy and Planning Committee, celebrates the sense of community, diversity of music talent, and free family fun these events provide for Aucklanders over summer.

“With a wider and more diverse range of events than ever before, including performances from top local artists and blockbuster movies, these events reach far and wide across Tāmaki Makaurau and offer something for everyone to enjoy,” he says.

“This much-loved series of free events is a fantastic way to make the most of the long summer days and nights with your loved ones and enjoy our beautiful city affordably.”

Transport

A number of events happening in and around the city’s waterfront on 18 January will mean there is limited parking and potential road closures. Auckland Transport (AT) would like to encourage you to consider using public transport for this event. 

Visit AT’s online Journey Planner or download the AT Mobile app today, then sit back, relax and take the stress out of attending city events this summer.

Source: Auckland Council

A popular Muriwai tourist attraction has reopened in time for the summer bird nesting season, allowing visitors once again to view a majestic seabird colony of gannets as they gather at Auckland’s west coast.  

Following an extended closure due to significant storm damage in early 2023, the Maukatia Gannet Track and access to the Takapu Refuge / Gannet Colony at Ōtakamiro Point in Muriwai has now been restored.

Access to viewing points in the Muriwai Regional Park, positioned above the gannets nesting site, reopened on 20 December 2024.

Regional Parks Western Principal Ranger Dave Markham says recent geo-technical reports and engineer feedback have confirmed the area is now safe for pedestrians to return. He tempers this by adding that more work will be needed to respond to the damage caused in the 2023 storm events, necessitating a renewed closure after the gannets migrate in 2025.

Mr Markham says the gannets have always drawn a steady stream of curious bystanders to Muriwai in their breeding season.

“It is captivating to watch the habits of these noisy birds like their torpedo-style plunge to catch fish, and the bill fencing or head-bowing of pairs in their nest.

“The track opening will no doubt provide a welcome boost to Muriwai visits by being back on the tourist maps while the gannets are present,” says Mr Markham

“The Muriwai colony is one of only three Australasian gannet nesting sites in New Zealand, and it is by far the most accessible,” he adds.

The largest mainland colony is at Cape Kidnappers in Hawke’s Bay with around 5000 breeding pairs, followed by populations of around 1000 at both Muriwai and Farewell Spit at the top of the South Island.

“This year, we are expecting to see plenty of healthy chicks emerge as the colony grows from now through to the end of summer, and then they’ll eventually all take flight.

“The track provides some great vantage points to come and see the gannets until about March or April,” says Mr Markham.  

Once the gannets leave, the Maukatia Gannet Track is likely to temporarily close for more repair work.

Visitors are advised to check the track status before leaving home – Maukatia Gannet Track – coastal walks in Auckland.

Car parking is recommended in the Waitea Road car park. Follow the signs towards Maukatia / Māori Bay and look out for the unique ancient lava pillow formations on your way to Ōtakamiro Point.

Rangers remind visitors that dogs are not permitted on the track.

Source: Auckland Council

There’s no doubt that pets bring many Aucklanders a lot of joy. But if you and your family received a new pet recently, there are all kinds of new responsibilities. Whether a cat, a dog or something more exotic, follow this handy how-to guide on responsible pet ownership to help your furry, fluffy, feathered or scaly friends live their best lives.

Make sure your dog is registered before it turns three months old. Registration is a legal requirement for all dogs under the New Zealand Dog Control Act 1996, and if your dog is not registered you can be fined. Councils around New Zealand supply information about registered dogs to the National Dog Database and the registry helps dog control authorities reunite owners with their lost pups, as well as control dangerous or menacing dogs.

Registered dogs receive a coloured tag or strap (choose at the time of registration), and the colour will change every year. New puppies and dogs have to be microchipped by your vet within two months of first registration.

Luckily, Auckland Council makes it very easy to ensure your pooch has its paperwork in order – all you need to do is register your dog online. Fees vary depending on several factors, and you can even check if you qualify for a discount. After registering your dog, they will be sent a snazzy coloured Auckland Council disc or strap within 10 working days. You get to choose which type of tag you want, but straps are a good option for small dogs. You must renew your dog’s registration annually, and the colour of the disc or strap changes every year.

New puppies and dogs have to be microchipped by a vet within two months of their first registration, and it’s only done once in an animal’s lifetime. A microchip is a tiny implant about the size of a grain of rice, and has a unique 15-digit number which is added to the National Dog Database.

It’s not just dogs that can be microchipped – it’s recommended that cats, horses, turtles, rabbits, guinea pigs and exotic birds are also microchipped so they can be added to the Companion Animals Register. Microchipping helps lost animals be reunited with their owners, and it’s also particularly important to help identify feral stray cats which may be preying on native birds.

Desexing is a key way to improve animal welfare by preventing unwanted litters of puppies and kittens and reducing stray and feral cat populations. Mating behaviours are instinctive for cats and dogs, and desexing – also called spaying (females) and neutering (males) – will prevent animals from wandering away from home and may reduce some aggressive territorial behaviours. Stray cats and dogs suffer greatly so it’s best to avoid unwanted liters.

Dogs need regular exercise and taking your dog for a walk in an Auckland park is a great way to spend time with your furry friend. When out and about, it’s important to follow the rules for dogs in public places – dogs must be on-leash at all times in all Council-controlled public places with unrestricted access.

If you’re going to a special dog-walking park there may be designated areas in which your dog is allowed off-leash to play and socialise with other dogs. To find parks with off-leash areas, visit the parks search page on the Auckland Council website and select ‘Show only places with off-leash’. Remember to obey the signs and only take your dog off-leash in the designated areas.

Even when your dog is in an off-leash area it should stay under control. Always pick up your dog’s poop and dispose of it responsibly. Keep your dog away from any prohibited areas that are marked as ‘No dogs’.

Being a responsible pet owner means making sure your pet lives in a healthy home environment. This means access to food and water, freedom to move, a way to get exercise and lots of affection and mental stimulation. Remember your pet has instinctive behaviours such as chewing and hunting, and toys can help enrich your pet’s life without impacting native wildlife. Playing with toys will also keep your dog enriched and can also reduce barking.

Never release any pet into the wild. Red-eared slider turtles are a popular pet but pose a significant threat to the natural environment if released into the wild. If you can no longer care for your pet, rehome them responsibly.

Dogs must live in a fenced property, and small animals such as guinea pigs and rabbits should live in adequately sized hutch with a run. Turtles, fish and exotic birds should live in suitably sized enclosures. Remember never to release an animal into the wild as it’s not good for their wellbeing and they can pose a threat to native species – rehoming is the best option. Test your knowledge of exotic pets and how to care for them by taking the quiz here.

Aucklanders love their pet cats, but felines are hunters by instinct and do pose a threat to many native animals such as birds. Putting a bell on your cat and/or a brightly coloured scrunchy collar can help your cat be more noticeable to native birds as they are attracted to bright colours for food sources such as berries and will spot a scrunchy collar.

Cats and kittens have hunting instincts but toys will help them satisfy these instincts without impacting wildlife populations.

A cat enclosure or ‘catio’ will also make sure that your cat can access the outdoors without preying on wildlife. In wildlife areas such as Aotea / Great Barrier Island there are rules in place around responsible cat ownership, and cat owners in other parts of Auckland can benefit from many of these ideas.

Auckland Council recognises and rewards caring dog owners who have a Responsible Dog Owner Licence (RDOL). Owners with the RDOL must fulfil some criteria and pass a written test, but once successful they are then eligible for a reduction in dog registration fees. Study the brochure before applying for the written test – you’d be barking mad not to!

Source: Auckland Council

Various community and wellbeing support is available to storm-affected residents, including free help with processing home insurance claims, rates relief, temporary accommodation assistance, and wider financial and mental health support.

Storm Recovery Navigation Service

We know how much you want to get back on your feet and how overwhelming things can be on your road to recovery.

The Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office has put in place a team of Storm Recovery Navigators to support individuals, whānau and families impacted by the extreme weather events.

Navigators provide a free and confidential wrap-around service to:

1. Provide one-on-one support and assistance
2. Make sure you have the most up-to date-information, while connecting you to other support agencies like Work and Income, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), and New Zealand Claims Resolution Service (NZCRS)
3. Help you to gain access to specialist services like legal advice and budget advice
4. Update you on grant applications/financial assistance available
5. Support you with Housing/tenancy issues/temporary accommodation/resettlement
6. Help you access other social and health services like counselling services and GP services

How do I access the Navigator Service?

To opt into the service, please either fill in our online referral form or phone 09 884 2070. For general enquiries relating to the service, please email navigators@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or phone 09 884 2070.

Temporary Accommodation Support

If you were displaced from your home by the 2023 extreme weather events, you may be eligible to receive interim financial support if your insurance payments for rental accommodation runs out. 

For more information, please visit the Ministry of Social Development’s (MSD) website: Temporary Accommodation Assistance.

If you are having trouble accessing financial support for temporary accommodation through Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) we would like to hear from you at navigators@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

The Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office is providing advice to MSD and the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) on whether the eligibility criteria is working for Tāmaki Makaurau.

We want to understand how the current support packages are meeting the needs of storm-affected Aucklanders. If you have applied for Temporary Accommodation Assistance (TAA) and been declined, please email us with details of your experience at navigators@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

Mental wellbeing support and services

Free counselling support

Trained counsellors are available for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week for mental health support following the extreme weather events.

To speak to a counsellor, phone or text Need to Talk? on 1737 for help with anxiety or mental health after an extreme weather event.

As well as this help line, did you know you’re also able to receive three free sessions with a counsellor. You’ll just need a referral from your General Practitioner (GP) / family doctor.

Free Wellbeing Apps

Below are some really helpful and free apps to support your wellbeing. You can download these apps for Android and Apple devices from Google Play and the App Store.

The Balance App

The Balance app is a wonderful resource which helps you manage your mental health and improve stress, sleep, mood, and more. This app is free in your first year of using it. Download the app on the Apple Store or on Google Play.

Groov

Co-founded by All Black legend, Sir John Kirwan, Groov gives you the tools to make small daily steps that create big changes for your daily wellbeing. Download it on the Apple Store or on Google Play.

Headstrong

Headstrong is the result of a co-design between the University of Auckland research team and young people. Dubbed as a ‘personal trainer for the mind’, Headstrong’s interactive chat function helps rangatahi feel like they’re texting with a trusted friend.

Crafted especially for New Zealand’s secondary school students, Headstrong’s interactive chat function helps rangitahi build resilience, foster a positive mindset, and navigate life’s challenges with confidence all while feeling like they’re texting with a trusted friend. Download it on the Apple Store or on Google Play.

Podcasts

What Matters Most’ Podcast – Vol X Looking After Yourself In The Face Of Natural Disasters

Hosted by Jacqui Maguire, a clinical psychologist, and Antonia Prebble, actor and presenter, in this episode Jacqui breaks down the three stages we typically go through following a natural disaster and how we can best look after ourselves – and one another – during these different periods. The pair also discuss what PTSD can look like, plus how to find a new routine, hope and gratitude in the wake of a major event. And, importantly they delve into exactly what we can do to care for and support children who are caught up in natural disasters.

Listen to this chat on Player FM or Apple podcasts.

‘After the Disaster’ Podcast

Hosted by disaster recovery expert, Dr Kate Brady, and with the support of the Australian Red Cross and the University of Melbourne, After the Disaster is another brilliant resource which gives you practical tips and evidenced-based advice on how to find your way through a disaster.

This includes tips for responding to questions like what should you expect? How do you look after yourself and the people around you? Why are relationships, the endless paperwork, emotions and parenting so hard right now? When are things going to feel normal again?

Listen to the podcast on Apple podcasts.

You can also contact:

Wellbeing support for tamariki and rangatahi

In case of an emergency, call 111.

For more wellbeing tips, resources, and tools, go to allsorts.org.nz.

Free support for processing home insurance claims

If you would like support and advice on your residential home insurance claim, the New Zealand Claims Resolutions Service (NZCRS) can help.  

The NZCRS is a free and independent service that provides residential homeowners with advice, case management support where appropriate and access to legal, technical and wellbeing services to help them achieve timely, fair and enduring resolution of their residential insurance claims resulting from natural disasters.   

They are there to help whether you’re unsure of what your insurer is telling you or have specific questions about either your insurance policy or the process that will be followed to settle your claim.

Do your homework before accepting a settlement.

NZCRS Director, Darren Wright says they are seeing a flow of settlements being presented to homeowners by insurers, and that it’s important for homeowners to understand their rights and obligations. He says homeowners should ask their insurer who will manage the repair – will your insurer arrange for the repair work to be done, or will you be responsible?

“If you receive a scope of work and payment from your insurer, it’s important to understand this is the insurer’s assessment and an interim payment based on what they believe the repair cost and strategy should be. The homeowner needs to engage their own builder to assess the scope and provide a quote for the repair costs. 

“If your builder’s scope is different from the insurer’s assessment, or the money paid by the insurer is not enough to cover your builder’s quote, then get in touch with your insurer. You should clearly set out what is different and what costs are not included. 

“It’s critically important you don’t incur any costs or agree with your builder on any contract until the insurer has accepted the changes and/or the cost variations. If the insurer is going to carry out the repair, it’s still important to check the scope to make sure you agree with it.”

You can contact NZCRS on 0508 624 327, email 2023/2024 rates relief – how to apply

Auckland Council announced it will be giving a 100 per cent rates relief to all households that are uninhabitable as a result of extreme weather events in the first half of 2023.

We hope this support helps to ease the financial burden for those most severely impacted.

If your house was red placarded as at 30 June 2023, you will receive a 100 per cent rates relief for the full 2023/2024 rating year. A credit will be automatically applied to rates invoices, so you don’t need to do anything. 

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