Dog Exercise AreasTe whakakorikori kurī

Room to roam

We understand walking the dog provides an important means of exercise for many owners and contributes to health and wellbeing generally. For many people, dogs form an integral part of family life and offer companionship to their owners.

As of 1 October, 2022, Napier City Council's Dog Control Policy and Bylaw specifies that:

You can walk your dog off-lead at the following designated dog exercise areas: 

• Dolbel Reserve, Taradale
• Sturms Gully, Napier Hill
• Tamatea Road Reserve, Tamatea
• Prebensen Drive Reserve, Poraiti
• Cross Country Drain (south side), Napier South

Dogs are prohibited at the following areas:

• Watchman Road Reserve and Port Beach West, Hardinge Road
• Te Whanganui-a-Orotū (Ahuriri Estuary) to protect endangered bird life

Other than designated prohibited areas and dog exercise areas, all other public places are on-lead areas. 

Council's legal requirements:

• the exercise and recreational needs of dogs and their owners and
• the need to minimise danger, distress and nuisance to the community generally would be enhanced if areas specifically where dogs may be exercised at large were provided for dog owners. This would not only allow dog owners freedom areas but would signal to the public generally to expect the presence of dogs in recreational areas. The establishment of exercise areas convenient to most dog owners is desirable.

The map below shows you the off and on-lead areas in Napier, as well as the dogs prohibited areas.