Auckland Council is reviewing some of the region’s regulatory policies and bylaws. The council does this every few years to make sure that local rules keep working for local people.
Louise Mason, General Manager of Policy at Auckland Council, explains that policies and bylaws are rules that apply to a particular region.
“We have our own policies and bylaws in Tāmaki Makaurau. They’re designed to respond to local issues and needs.
“The council creates, monitors and updates them. As part of this process, Aucklanders get a chance to have a say on proposed changes to these ‘rules’.
“Each and every change recommended is backed by significant evidence and data,” she says.
Two important policies and bylaws you can have your say on in 2025 relate to dogs, and council cemeteries and crematoria. Read on for a overview of what they cover.
Dog Policy and Dog Management Bylaw
Many Aucklanders love their dogs, and they are often a very positive part of life in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Unfortunately, our furry friends are not always without issue. The most recent animal management annual report found that our staff responded to 37,558 requests for service between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024.
A big portion of the data represents dogs that have been reported roaming alone without their owner. It also shows a 14 per cent increase in dog attacks on people and 19 per cent increase in dog attacks on other animals compared to the previous year’s report.
Auckland Council’s policy aims to address these problems by encouraging responsible dog ownership, setting out where dogs can be taken in public, and applying measures to minimise problems, including a bylaw.
We recently reviewed the Dog Policy and Dog Management Bylaw and found its approach is effective, but that improvements could be made.
The proposed changes include a limit on the number of dogs that can be walked at once, updates to where you can take your dog on and off-leash at some parks and beaches, and changes to make the policy and bylaw easier to understand.
There are many off-leash areas in Auckland, but it’s important to remember that not everyone is a dog person, and not everywhere is suitable to take a dog. This review aims to maintain a balanced mix of dog-friendly and dog-free spaces across Tāmaki Makaurau so there are public places for everyone to enjoy. Dog rules also help to protect wildlife, our natural environment including kauri and stream banks, and our cultural heritage.
This policy has been to the Regulatory and Safety Committe. It will now go to the council’s Governing Body, who will be asked to decide on a date for public consultation in 2025.
Council Cemetery and Crematoria Bylaw
Auckland Council oversees more than 50 cemeteries in Auckland, including Manukau Memorial Gardens, North Shore Memorial Park and Waikumete Cemetery.
There are rules to keep our cemeteries and crematoria safe, and which help to meet Aucklanders’ social, cultural and physical needs. They’re currently set out in a bylaw, a code of practice made under the bylaw, and operational guidance.
Council staff have reviewed the rules in the bylaw and code and have found they’re working well and generally don’t need to change.
However, we did find that some rules in the code are outdated and duplicated. We plan to move most rules that are currently covered in the code of practice to the bylaw. Everything else will be covered in operational guidance.
This will not impact the day-to-day service in our cemeteries and crematoria – we recommend that the rules stay much the same as they are now.
Even though this will be more of an administrative change, you will still be able to comment on these proposals in early 2025 on the council’s Have Your Say website.
How can you have your say?
The council consults with the public every time a change is made to our regulatory policies and bylaws, so Aucklanders can have a say on the rules in their area.
Consultation on proposed changes to these policies and bylaws will open in the new year (2025).
