A Dog-Friendly Walk For Every Region: Explore With Your Best Friend!

A Dog-Friendly Park For Every Region: Explore With Your Best Friend!

We’ve compiled a list of dog-friendly parks across all 16 regions of New Zealand, perfect for your next outdoor adventure with your furry friend! Whether you’re in a city or out in NZ nature, there’s a spot for every fur friend to enjoy. Be sure to check local council regulations for each area, as dog policies can vary.

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1. Auckland Region: Western Springs Park

• Location: Central Auckland
• Description: A large, beautiful park with open spaces and a tranquil lake. It features designated off-leash areas, walking paths, and even a bird sanctuary. Perfect for your dogs daily walk or a picnic outing.
• Dog-Friendly Features: Off-leash areas, scenic walking paths, large open space.
• Tip: Visit nearby Auckland Zoo or Ponsonby for dog-friendly cafés after your park visit.‍
• Reminder: Dogs should be kept under control and owners must clean up after their pets.‍
• Auckland Council Dog Policy: Auckland Council - Dogs

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2. Wellington Region: Khandallah Park

• Location: Khandallah, Wellington
• Description: This peaceful park offers walking trails, open fields, and beautiful views of the surrounding area. Dogs can enjoy the off-leash areas, and the park is a quiet escape from city life.
• Dog-Friendly Features: Off-leash areas, scenic walking trails.
• Tip: After your walk, visit nearby Cashmere Avenue for additional dog-friendly trails.‍
• Reminder: Dogs should be kept under control and owners must clean up after their pets.‍
• Wellington City Council Dog Policy: Wellington City - Dogs

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3. Christchurch & Canterbury: Hagley Park

• Location: Central Christchurch
• Description: One of the city’s largest and most beautiful parks, Hagley Park is perfect for walking your dog. Enjoy open spaces, peaceful walking paths, and off-leash areas where dogs can roam freely.
• Dog-Friendly Features: Open space, on-leash and off-leash areas, walking tracks.
• Tip: After your park adventure, head to Christchurch Botanic Gardens (dogs on-leash allowed).
  
• Reminder: Dogs should be kept under control and owners must clean up after their pets.
• Christchurch City Council Dog Policy: Christchurch City - Dogs

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4. Queenstown & Otago: Queenstown Gardens

• Location: Queenstown, Otago
• Description: A stunning lakeside park offering dog-friendly on-leash walks. Enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains, perfect for a relaxing day out with your dog.
• Dog-Friendly Features: On-leash areas, lakeside walks.
• Tip: Explore the Frankton Track for more dog-friendly scenic walks.‍
• Reminder: Dogs should be kept under control and owners must clean up after their pets.‍
• Queenstown Lakes District Council Dog Policy: Queenstown Lakes - Dogs

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5. Hawke’s Bay: Anderson Park

• Location: Napier, Hawke’s Bay
• Description: A beautiful park in Napier with plenty of space for dogs to roam. The park features off-leash areas, walking trails, and serene garden spaces for you and your fur friend to enjoy.
• Dog-Friendly Features: Off-leash areas, wide-open spaces, peaceful trails.
• Tip: Combine with a visit to Napier Hill afterward for more dog-friendly trails and scenic views.‍
• Reminder: Dogs should be kept under control and owners must clean up after their pets.‍
• Hastings District Council Dog Policy: Hastings District - Dogs

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6. Northland: Hātea River Walkway

• Location: Whangarei, Northland
• Description: The Hātea River Walkway is a beautiful, dog-friendly spot offering scenic views along the river. This walkway is a popular choice for dog walkers due to its wide paths and open spaces where dogs can enjoy the outdoors. It's a great location for a relaxing walk with your furry friend.
• Dog-Friendly Features: Off-leash areas, scenic walking tracks, open spaces.
• Tip: Head to the nearby Town Basin for more scenic views and dog-friendly cafés.‍
• Reminder: Dogs should be kept under control and owners must clean up after their pets.‍
• Whangarei District Council Dog Policy: Whangarei District - Dogs

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7. Manawatū-Whanganui: Victoria Esplanade Park

• Location: Palmerston North
• Description: This expansive park features walking tracks, a duck pond, and plenty of open spaces. It’s a fantastic place for dog walkers, with designated off-leash areas to let your dog run around.
• Dog-Friendly Features: Off-leash areas, scenic walks, open fields.
• Tip: Combine with a visit to the Manawatū River Walk for more dog-friendly adventures.‍
• Reminder: Dogs should be kept under control and owners must clean up after their pets.‍
• Palmerston North City Council Dog Policy: Palmerston North - Dogs

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8. Marlborough: Pollard Park

• Location: Blenheim, Marlborough
• Description: Pollard Park offers wide-open spaces, beautiful gardens, and walking tracks, with dogs allowed on-leash. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy the outdoors and let your dog explore.
• Dog-Friendly Features: On-leash areas, walking paths, gardens.
• Tip: After Pollard Park, head to Riverside Park for more dog-friendly walks.‍
• Reminder: Dogs should be kept under control and owners must clean up after their pets.‍
• Marlborough District Council Dog Policy: Marlborough District - Dogs

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9. West Coast: Greymouth's Point Elizabeth Walk

• Location: Greymouth, West Coast
• Description: This coastal track offers stunning views of the Tasman Sea. It’s perfect for dog owners looking for a scenic, off-leash adventure with their dog, though some areas require leashes.
• Dog-Friendly Features: Coastal views, scenic track, on-leash areas.
• Tip: Combine with a visit to Greymouth Beach for more fun by the water.‍
• Reminder: Dogs should be kept under control and owners must clean up after their pets.‍
• Grey District Council Dog Policy: Grey District - Dogs

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10. Southland: Queen's Park

• Location: Invercargill
• Description: Queen’s Park in Invercargill is a peaceful park with a mix of gardens, open fields, and walking paths. There are designated off-leash areas where dogs can roam free.
• Dog-Friendly Features: Off-leash areas, walking paths, open fields.
• Tip: Visit Oreti Beach nearby for more fun by the sea with your dog.‍
• Reminder: Dogs should be kept under control and owners must clean up after their pets.‍
• Invercargill City Council Dog Policy: Invercargill City - Dogs

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11. Taranaki: Pukekura Park

• Location: New Plymouth
• Description: A stunning, multi-faceted park in the heart of New Plymouth, with a combination of lakes, gardens, and open spaces. Dogs are welcome in the off-leash areas, perfect for outdoor fun.

• Dog-Friendly Features: On-leash areas, scenic gardens, walking tracks.
• Tip: Stop by the Coastal Walkway for additional dog-friendly spots.‍
• Reminder: Dogs should be kept under control and owners must clean up after their pets.‍
• New Plymouth District Council Dog Policy: New Plymouth District - Dogs‍

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12. Bay of Plenty: Memorial Park

• Location: Tauranga
• Description: Memorial Park features spacious gardens and sports fields, with a designated off-leash area for dogs. It's a popular spot for dog walkers in the Bay of Plenty.
• Dog-Friendly Features: Off-leash areas, wide-open spaces.
• Tip: After a walk, head over to The Strand for some dog-friendly cafés.‍
• Reminder: Dogs should be kept under control and owners must clean up after their pets.‍
• Tauranga City Council Dog Policy: Tauranga City - Dogs

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13. Waikato: Hamilton Lake Domain

• Location: Hamilton
• Description: This beautiful park offers spacious green lawns, walking and bike paths, a vibrant playground, dog-friendly areas, restrooms, and a cafe. Just a short distance from Hamilton’s city centre, it provides a peaceful escape with its lake and greenery, adding charm to the urban landscape.‍
• Dog-Friendly Features: on and off-leash areas.‍
• Tip: Hamilton Lake Domain also has a designated off-leash area for dogs‍
• Reminder: Dogs should be kept under control and owners must clean up after their pets
• ‍Hamilton City Council Dog Policy: Hamilton City - Dogs‍

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14. Nelson-Tasman: Tahunanui Beach

• Location: Nelson
• Description: Tahunanui Beach offers off-leash areas with plenty of space for dogs to play and run. It’s a dog-friendly beach that allows pets to enjoy the water and sand.
• Dog-Friendly Features: Off-leash beach areas, scenic views.
• Tip: After the beach, head to Queens Gardens for a relaxing walk with your dog.‍
• Reminder: Dogs should be kept under control and owners must clean up after their pets.‍
• Nelson City Council-Dog Owner Responsibilities: Nelson City - Dogs

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15. Gisborne Region: Wainui Beach

• Location: Gisborne
• Description: Wainui Beach is one of Gisborne's most iconic beaches, offering plenty of space for your dog to run and play. The beach is a well-known off-leash area, making it an ideal spot for a day out with your pup. Enjoy the stunning coastal views and the relaxed atmosphere while your dog enjoys the sand and surf.
• Dog-Friendly Features: Off-leash areas, beach walks, open space.
• Tip: Take a post-walk stroll along the Wainui Walkway for more beautiful scenery.
  
• Reminder: Dogs should be kept under control and owners must clean up after their pets.
• Gisborne District Council-Dog Exercise Areas: Gisborne District - Dogs

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16. Tasman Region: Ruby Bay Beach

• Location: Ruby Bay, Tasman District
• Description: A beautiful coastal beach with open space for your dog to run and explore. The beach is off-leash friendly and offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
• Dog-Friendly Features: Off-leash areas on the beach, plenty of open space for dogs to enjoy.
• Tip: Explore nearby Kina Beach for additional dog-friendly walks and coastal views.
• Reminder: Dogs should be kept under control and owners must clean up after their pets.
• Tasman District Council-Exercise Your Dog: Tasman District - Dogs

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Petiquette!

Let’s keep our parks safe and enjoyable for everyone! If your dog isn’t reliable on recall (comes to your side when you call them), we recommend keeping them on a leash to ensure they stay safe and everyone can have a stress-free time. And of course, please be a responsible pet parent—pick up after your dog and dispose of waste properly. For an eco-friendly option, use the code PSNZ to get 10% off Little Green Dogs' awesome poo bags!

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Get Out and Explore!

With so many dog-friendly parks across New Zealand, you and your pup are sure to find your next favourite spot! Whether it's a beautiful beach, park, or scenic nature trail, new adventures are always just around the corner. Don't forget to share your adventures with us in our Facebook community or on our Instagram page—and tag your pet with the hashtag #PetsOfNZ to feature your furry friend!

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While you're out exploring, be sure to check the local council websites for up-to-date regulations and don’t hesitate to contact them if you have any questions.

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If you're a pet sitter looking for more resources like this, sign up for our free membership today to gain access to valuable industry resources and connect with other dedicated professionals who share your passion for pet care.

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Happy exploring and have fun with your furry companion!

PSNZ Team

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