- A temporary dog access rule change will run at Big Manly Beach and Tindalls Beach from the start of the shorebird nesting season expected to be October to 30 March 2026.
- The rules were proposed by the community and focus on protecting active nests, not restricting whole beach access.
- The emphasis is on education, awareness and supporting the community to understand how to help protect threatened shorebirds.
From around October, when the first shorebird pair begins nesting, temporary dog access rule changes will be introduced at Big Manly and Tindalls beaches to help protect vulnerable shorebirds during their breeding season.
The changes introduced by Auckland Council are based on a joint proposal from Forest & Bird Whangaparāoa Dotterel Minders and Dog Friends Auckland Region, and endorsed by the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board.
Running until 30 March 2026, the temporary rule change protects key nesting times for tūturiwhatu / northern New Zealand dotterels and tōrea pangao / variable oystercatchers.
“This is a smart way to share the beach with nature,” says Parks and Community Facilities Area Operations Manager Sandra May.
“There’s room for everyone. These changes help us create space for wildlife during the breeding season while still allowing people and dogs to enjoy the beach.”
Targeted protections, not blanket restrictions
The aim is to reduce the risk to nesting birds and chicks without restricting access across the whole beach. Instead, dog rules apply only near active nests.
Here’s how it works:
- Dogs must be on-leash within 200 metres of any marked nest, with the distance identified by yellow markers.
- Dogs are prohibited from areas identified by red markers surrounding any fenced nesting site.
- Red and yellow markers are in place while nests or chicks are present. If chicks forage regularly on other parts of the beach, the yellow markers may shift to these areas.
- Existing time and season dog rules remain in place at Big Manly and Tindalls beaches.
The temporary fencing and signage will be installed by trained volunteers from the dotterel minders group supported by council staff.
The temporary changes will be implemented between 1 September 2025 and 30 March 2026. It is intended to trial the temporary changes for two years as a pilot for dog owners to understand the rules and for council to assess the success of implementation.
Forest & Bird Whangaparāoa Dotterel Minders’ Derek Kelsey says, “We appreciate the opportunity to participate in developing this plan with Auckland Council, and hope that the local community will come on board and support this increased protection for the dotterels and other shorebirds.”
Responding to a real need
From 2022 to 2025, seven pairs of tūturiwhatu and two pairs of tōrea pangao have nested or regularly visited these beaches. Both are listed by the Department of Conservation as Threatened and At Risk and are especially vulnerable to disturbance and predators during nesting and chick-rearing.
“We hope that dog owners walking Manly and Tindalls beaches respond positively to ensure that we can keep off-leash access for most of the beach and most of the year,” says Dog Friends Auckland Region spokesperson Claire Teirney.
“Our local board is giving dog owners the chance to have a local temporary solution which means more dog access outside of the nesting and chick-raising times for our local dotterels.”
Partnership in action
The temporary rule change is a collaboration between Auckland Council and community groups, focusing on education and awareness.
A community information event organised by local groups will take place in October and provide more details about the birds and the temporary dog rule change.
“This is not just about changing dog rules; it’s about building understanding and finding new ways to care for wildlife together,” says Sandra May.
“It’s a great example of community and council partnership in action.”
Stay up to date
Sign up for your Local Board E-news and get the latest news and events direct to your inbox each month. Or follow us on Facebook.
