Hiking, camping and hunting with your dog on conservation land.
Image: DOC
If you’re planning on camping, tramping or hunting on conservation land with your best four-legged friend this summer, here’s a quick guide to what you need to know before you go.
PrepareProtectEnjoy!
Prepare
Heading to the hills with your hound can be so much fun, but a successful trip will need a bit of planning and preparation.
Depending on what you’re up to or where you’re headed, your pup might need a permit to be there, or only allowed to be there on lead, or may not be allowed there at all*, so it’s vital you check before you head out: Where you can take your dog and access rules: Dog access (doc.govt.nz)
*You may be issued an infringement fine or prosecuted if you take your dogs into no access areas, controlled areas without a permit, or breach the conditions of your permit.
Visit the Department of Conservation website to find:
Image: DOC
You can also search on the webpages for individual DOC walking tracks and campsites to see what the specific access rules are for the site. For example:
One thing to be aware of is that dogs are not allowed inside DOC huts, so if you’re out on an overnighter, make sure you have a plan to keep your furry friend comfortable, warm and secure from dusk to dawn.
Protect nature
Why is dog access controlled on conservation land?
The short answer is, to protect native wildlife and to protect your dog.
To protect our precious native species, DOC carries out predator control using traps and poisons, and both can harm a dog. Some poisons can be fatal to dogs, so always check for signage and website notifications, and keep your dog on lead to keep them safe in areas where traps or poison are being used.
Dogs have also been known to get themselves into situations with dangerous wildlife such as sea lions and come out worse off. Keeping your dog under control or on a lead can mean the difference between an upsetting day out versus an awesome one.
Consider what’s best for your dog to keep them safe in all scenarios. Accidents and incidents can happen when out and about exploring nature.
Becoming a wildlife-wise dog owner helps to keep our wildlife and your dog safe in nature.
Vulnerable native wildlife
Dog attacks can kill or injure species such as kiwi, penguins, and fur seals. For sensitive species like kiwi, even one death can have a devastating impact on their recovery. It is illegal for dogs to injure or kill native wildlife in New Zealand and there is risk of fines and prosecution for owners.
Non-fatal attacks can also have large impacts. Penguins and seabirds may be scared away from nests and abandon eggs or chicks.
Dogs (and other pets) aren’t allowed in some conservation areas, like National Parks, as the risk to native wildlife is too great. In other areas dogs are allowed but must be kept on a lead. Visit the DOC website to find tracks and campsites where dogs are welcome.
Image: DOC
Dogs on beaches
While your pooch might love a day at the beach, it’s important to remember that lots of native wildlife makes their home on the foreshore.
If you’re hunting with dogs on public conservation land, there are some rules you need to follow. For example, your dog may need to have avian avoidance training and a permit before it can come with you to the hunting block. For more info: Hunting with dogs: Hunting (doc.govt.nz)
Enjoy!
Summer holidays are even better with your dog. They love nothing more than hanging out with you in nature and having an adventure. So – check off what you need to know to keep them safe and legal, make sure you’ve given some thought to how you can protect New Zealand’s native wildlife while you’re out an about, and you’re good to go!
Nelson Lakes – the site with the largest number of ‘pets in national parks’ offences in the country. Mainly because the road takes people to the ‘public’ carpark that is actually inside the national park.
The summer holidays are here, and many pet parents and their fur balls are raring (and barking and meowing) to get out of the house. Excitement and enthusiasm is great, but being a responsible pet parent is being conscious of ‘no pets allowed’ spaces. You don’t want to end up getting a fine for your dog in a national park, or your cat. You want that money in your pocket for the holidays, right?
Though pets simply love the great outdoors (most of them, anyway), it’s important to be conscious of the harm they could do to the ecology and wildlife around them – and themselves!
We have been battling to get unaware pet parents to follow the rules. We spoke with our Principal Compliance Officer Jeff Hall on what those rules are, and why we should follow them.
Where aren’t pets allowed?
Let’s first go over the rules around animals in national parks, tracks, and offshore islands in NZ.
Different areas have different regulations on whether you can take your pet there or not.
Some areas allow pets, others require a permit, and some don’t allow pets at all.
Let’s make one thing clear – national parks in New Zealand do not allow pets at all.
Most offshore islands don’t allow pets, either. Some walking tracks and campgrounds may allow pets though, but you should also be aware that some car parks in national parks, such as Kerr Bay in the Nelson Lakes National Park are also “No Pet” areas.
It’s best to check pet-related regulations BEFORE you go. To do so, navigate to this page, select your activity, and tick the ‘dogs allowed’ box. Now you’re able to search all the pet-friendly areas that allows Fido or Felix to come along:
If you’ve already chosen your destination and you’re not sure whether it’s pet friendly or not, phone the nearest DOC visitor centre to the place you intend to visit.
Why will you get a fine for a dog in a National Park?
In short, fines for bringing pets into a national park are there to protect both wildlife and the pet involved. Dogs and cats have a natural instinct to hunt and predate, which poses a risk to New Zealand’s native animals. National parks often house some of our most vulnerable and endangered species, which dogs or cats can maim or kill.
A lot of the native species are ground dwelling and therefore easy for a dog to chase down and attack. The danger to the pets themselves is that they could come across poison intended for pest or predator control, eat it and become seriously ill and/or die.
A black-fronted dotterel, one of New Zealand’s endangered birds.
How big is the pets-in-parks problem?
Despite us being clear on where pets are and aren’t allowed, the team sees it becoming more commonplace for people to bring dogs and cats into national parks.
Since 17 December 2020 to 14 November 2022 there have been a total of 467 recorded cases nationally involving dogs either attacking or killing wildlife or being somewhere they shouldn’t be. The actual instances are thought to be a lot higher as not every one will have been reported.
In one such incident on one of the inner Hauraki Gulf islands (one of New Zealand’s highly protected pest-free offshore islands), an off-leash and unsupervised dog attacked and killed a weka – one of our country’s highly endangered birds.
A weka – threatened, despite being a common sight in some areas
And dogs aren’t the only ones causing chaos.
There have also been instances of people bringing cats into national parks.
A person brought one in her bag, which subsequently ran off into the undergrowth. The lady reported it to us and the cat wasn’t found until the next day. This could have had serious consequences to the local wildlife, which are susceptible to predation.
How big is the fine for a cat or dog in a national park?
The fines can be big, and so can the impact on our precious taonga.
Penalties for allowing a dog to kill wildlife in New Zealand can be severe. According to the NZ Dog Control Act, anyone whose dog seriously injures a person or kills protected wildlife can be fined up to $20,000. They can even face a jail sentence of up to three years. In this instance, three dogs were put down and two owners were fined.
While we’re on the subject of pets (animals) not being allowed in national parks, equally, you can’t take animals out of nationals parks, and keep them as pets. If you’re out and about and see geckos or lizards leave them where they are, they are native taonga species and are not pets.
Lead the waywhile enjoying our parks
Even in areas that allow pets, they should always be on a leash. A long or short lead is very useful on a walking track or beach, for keeping both your dog and other animals safe. Even more so when it’s colour coded.
PD recently partnered with us on our Lead the Way programme, which includes a quiz that teaches pet parents how to become wildlife wise. Once you’ve completed the quiz it’ll unlock the ability to purchase a Lead the Way lead for your dog or cat. These high quality, locally-made leads indicate your pet’s temperament to other pet parents. They’re either green, orange, yellow or red, which means the below:
Green – your pet is happy to be around other pets and people. Orange – your pet isn’t always comfortable around other pets and people. Red – your pet doesn’t like socialising with unfamiliar pets or people. Yellow – your pet is disabled or vulnerable to interactions in some way.
You’ll also be very clearly demonstrating your support for the protection of our precious wildlife. Hopefully that encourages others to do the same!
Now you know why you’ll get a fine for your dog in a national park, or your cat. Knowing where pets aren’t allowed is all part of being a responsible pet parent. Another part is making sure you have proper pet insurance to cover them in case of an accident or illness.
PD Insurance is the Auckland partner for our Lead the Way programme that helps to protect native coastal wildlife and keep dogs and people safe.
The summer season is upon us once again, and with that brings the festive spirit, family time, relaxation and many adventures. Many kiwis, nation and bird alike will be taking pause, time to themselves and looking to recuperate before the new year.
Whether you are an advanced tramper, or a complete amateur when it comes to our national walks, lakes, forests and wildlife, the same rules apply, we urge you to consider and respect the wildlife that call the environment surrounding you, home.
Always remember DOC HOT. Our emergency hotline that operates 24/7.
Call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) immediately if you see anyone catching, harming or killing native wildlife.
Here are 7 important top tips we have compiled for hanging out with the wildlife this summer:
1) Take time before you go to research, plan and understand the different wildlife that inhabit where you are planning to go
One of the most important tips to take with you, is having a clear plan of action ready and available to you when you are on your tramp/hike/bike or swim. New Zealand is precious – everyone who lives and travels here has a responsibility to look after it.
Make sure you are utilising all information available to you on our website, detailed tips and tricks for your desired destination.
Take care of Aotearoa, and alwaysbe prepared for your trip: – Weather – Maps – Land Safety Code – Take a distress beacon – Gear lists
Alerts: find out about changes in conservation areas that might affect the safety or enjoyment of your trip
Protect nature: keep your distance and don’t feed wildlife (more on this below). Follow any rules restricting dogs, fires, drones and vehicles. – How to behave around wildlife – Dog access – Pets on public conservation land – Fires on public conservation land
Over the days, weeks, months of your travelling/tramping/exploring, protect our precious native species by keeping your distance and not feeding them.
Don’t share your picnic with birds, no matter how convincing they may be, especially our cheeky kea.
Our birds evolved without human food and aren’t used to it – it can make them sick and can even be fatal. Wildlife congregating in areas known for human food can also spread disease. If kākā or kea eat food such as nuts and seeds they may develop metabolic bone disease.
So, don’t feed our wildlife – even if they ask.
3) If you want a picture, don’t get close – use your zoom instead
Getting too close stresses wildlife.
Top tip: enjoy marine mammals – from a distance. Especially seals and sea lions.
Keep at least 20 m, the length of two buses, away from seals and sea lions. If you are too close, they may panic and stampede, hurting themselves in the process. Some may become aggressive, especially if you are blocking their escape route to the sea or near their babies.
They can move as quickly as you can.
Although they look cute, they have a nasty bite. Their resting time on land is important, so try not to disturb them.
If you are in the water, on your boats, jet skis, paddle boarding or even just swimming – and you are lucky enough to see one of our marine mammals (e.g. dolphins or whales), it is important to stay back and give them space.
If you come across a roped off or signposted area, it may be a nesting ground for one of our critically endangered species, like dotterel or black billed gulls.
You need to avoid these places to protect our species.
Make sure your dogs are kept away as well.
It is important to remember, not all birds nesting spots are marked, so stay alert while walking on dunes or riverbeds and avoid any birds you see.
Driftwood provides good cover for New Zealand dotterel chicks and eggs Image: Mithuna Sothieson | DOC
5) Take extra care if you have dogs with you
Having your best friend on your adventure seems like a great idea at first, unless your best friend is furry and four-legged with a nose for investigating! Do yourself a favour, make sure you know where you can take your dog and access rules – different areas have different rules on if you can take your dog there or not. Some areas allow dogs, others require a permit, and some do not allow dogs at all.
Birds get stressed when chased by dogs. One panicked seal can start a chain reaction in a breeding colony, where pups are at risk of being crushed by adult seals rushing to the sea for safety.
A wildlife scan makes a good game plan.
Some of the wildlife on our beaches can be quite camouflaged. Sleeping fur seal/kekeno, or sea lion/pakake can look a lot like a log or bit of driftwood from a distance. Visually scan the area so you are always one step ahead of your dog and you can plan where to walk.
Example of fur seals/kekeno being well camouflaged. There’s a lot of seals in the background, can you spot them? Image: Shellie Evans
Different coloured leads
You might start noticing more traffic-light-coloured leads around the place because of Lead the Way. These are a bonus for dog safety as they let others know the temperament of your dog.
Green is friendly with dogs and people
Orange is caution sometimes nervous/reactive with new dogs or people
Red is often nervous or reactive with new dogs or people
Yellow is disabled so vulnerable to some interactions
It’s always good practice to ask an owner permission first before approaching their dog – no matter what colour lead, bandana or collar a dog might be wearing, if they say no, please respect their dog’s need for space.
Not all dogs like other dogs or people.
If you ignore dog access rules or conditions, you may be issued an infringement fine or prosecuted if you take your dogs into no access areas, controlled areas without a permit, or breach the conditions of your permit.
A dog may be seized and impounded or destroyed if it is found in a national park or controlled dog area without a permit.
Report dogs where they are not allowed to Animal Control or DOC:
Animal Control: +64 7 348 4199
0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468)
Cats are not allowed on national conservation land under any circumstances.
6) Keep New Zealand clean
Take all rubbish with you and use toilets where provided. Be a tidy kiwi, as you would do in your own home, our beautiful nature and wildlife deserve the same respect.
Like all waste, it’s important to properly dispose of used period products when tramping. Take used tampons and pads away with you and know how to properly empty menstrual cups in the backcountry.
Help keep our natural environment free of litter. Litter harms our environment and wildlife. This includes food scraps which feed pests like rats, stoats and mice.
Do not discard plastics, nylon fishing line and other types of rubbish at sea. Like whales, large filter-feeding sharks and rays can accidentally ingest these, and all species suffer from entanglement in marine debris.
7) Finally, be respectful
Respect others, respect culture.
Help everyone enjoy the outdoors by being considerate of others when you’re out in nature. Make space for others, keep noise down and read up on tramping hut etiquette.
Bikes, dogs and drones can really impact on other people, so make sure you are following the rules and being considerate to others.
Cultural heritage sites are places in the landscape that tell the physical, spiritual, and cultural stories of our past. They are places we value and connect to as New Zealanders. When visiting a heritage site please treat it with care and respect, so it can be enjoyed for many generations to come.
For Māori, public conservation land is a taonga (treasure) and of special significance. Many of these places are wāhi tapu (sacred to Māori) and need to be treated with respect. If you are visiting a place that is wāhi tapu, there may be restrictions on access. There may also be tikanga (protocols) in place, such as not eating, running, or making loud noises while at the wāhi tapu site. Respect these tikanga.
Be a good kiwi and help keep our land clean and free from harm.
This time of year, has snuck up on most of us, we know! So, make sure in all the last-minute adventures you are undertaking, you have made time to plan, prepare and are ready to protect. Act responsibly and safely for yourself, as well as those of all species, sizes and forms in the environment surrounding us that need our help to keep Aotearoa their home.
