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Dogs on the beach

Dogs love the beach as much as we do, and Kāpiti has some fantastic off-leash areas where dogs can run and play freely.

It’s important you know where your dog can be, and when – this can change from winter to summer, so check the seasonal rules.

Some people are nervous around dogs, so please respect dog-free areas.

Full details of on/off-leash areas and prohibited dog zones are outlined in exercise areas, along with other information to help dog owners.

Control | Cleaning up | Watch out for... | Dog seasonal beach zones | Year-round off-lead zones 

Control

It’s your responsibility to keep your dog under control at all times; so even if it's an off-leash area, it’s best to keep your dog on a lead if you're unsure how they'll react.

If you’d like extra support with training your dog, there are a number of local businesses and community groups running regular dog obedience courses.

Cleaning up

Be prepared for doggy “indiscretions”. Carry spare bags, and always pick up your dog’s poo for appropriate disposal; it makes the beach more pleasant for everyone, and safer for little ones playing in the sand.

Watch out for... 

See Looking after our beaches for how you and your dog can help protect Kāpiti's significant and sensitive flora and fauna.

Dog seasonal beach zones

Where your dog can go on the beach can change from season to season, so make sure you're familiar with the rules, and the maps below. 

  • Winter zones apply from the end of daylight saving, to end of 30 November.
  • Summer zones apply from 1 December to the end of daylight saving.

Summer changes

From…

to…

summer rules are…

Beach Road, Paekākāriki

Wainui Stream Estuary
  • 10am–7pm – on-leash
  • 7pm–10am – off-leash

Takitimu Road, Raumati Beach

Wharemauku Stream, Raumati Beach
  • 10am–7pm – no dogs
  • 7pm–10am – on-leash

Rua Road, Paraparaumu Beach

Kāpiti Boating Club
  • 10am–7pm – no dogs
  • 7pm–10am – on-leash

Waikanae Boating Club, north

Waimeha Stream sensitive site, Waikanae Beach
  • 10am–7pm – no dogs
  • 7pm–10am – on-leash

Karaka Street, Ōtaki Beach

Ōtaki Surf Club
  • 10am–7pm – on-leash
  • 7pm–10am – off-leash

Rules for other areas remain the same all year round. 

The following maps show the summer and winter dog access zones for each area (specifically on- and off-leash areas), and areas where no dogs are permitted:  

See the Dog Control Bylaw 2019 for more information and a full list of dog parks, exercise areas, and summer and winter zones.

When dogs are near horses, please ensure they are on-leash and pass wide and slow around them.

Year-round off-lead areas

Your dog can be off-lead any time, all year round, in the following areas:

  • northern boundary of our district to north of Waitohu Stream sensitive site, Ōtaki
  • Konini Street, Ōtaki, to Ōtaki Beach Surf Club
  • Karaka Street, Ōtaki, to Kapiti Lane, Ōtaki
  • south of Ōtaki River estuary, Ōtaki, to north of Mangaone Stream estuary, Te Horo
  • Sea Road, Te Horo, to north of Te Kowhai Stream estuary, Peka Peka
  • south of Te Kowhai Stream estuary, Peka Peka, to north of the Waimeha Stream sensitive site, Waikanae Beach
  • Waikanae Boating Club, south to Waiheke Street access way, Waikanae Beach
  • Ngāpotiki Street, Paraparaumu Beach, to Manly Street, Paraparaumu Beach
  • Rua Road, Paraparaumu Beach, to north of Wharemauku Stream estuary
  • Takitimu Road, Raumati, to south side of Wainui Steam Estuary, Paekākāriki.

Refer to the Department of Conservation for the Waikanae Scientific Reserve.