Dogs on the beach

Dogs love the beach and Kāpiti has great off-leash areas for them to run and play.

Remember to check where and when your dog can be off-leash – this changes from winter to summer, so check the seasonal rules.

Please respect dog-free areas, as some people are nervous around dogs.

For full details of on/off-leash areas and prohibited zones, visit Exercise areas.

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

Control

It’s your responsibility to always keep your dog under control. Even in off-leash areas, use a lead if you're unsure how your dog will react.

If you need help training your dog, there are local businesses and community groups offering regular dog obedience courses.

Cleaning up

Always be ready for doggy “messes”. Carry extra bags, and pick up your dog’s poo. This keeps the beach nice for everyone, and safe for tamariki playing in the sand.

Watch out for...

Learn how you and your dog can help protect the Kāpiti Coast's special plants and animals in Looking after our beaches.

Dog seasonal beach zones

Where your dog can go on the beach changes with the seasons. Check the rules and the maps below.

Winter zones: end of daylight saving to end of 30 November.
Summer zones: 1 December to the end of daylight saving.

Summer beach zones

Beach Road Paekākāriki to Wainui Stream Estuary

on-leash 10am–7pm
off-leash 7pm–10am

Takitimu Road, Raumati Beach to Wharemauku Stream, Raumati Beach

no dogs – 10am–7pm
on-leash – 7pm–10am

Rua Road, Paraparaumu Beach to Kāpiti Boating Club

no dogs – 10am–7pm
on-leash – 7pm–10am

Waikanae Boating Club, north to Waimeha Stream sensitive site, Waikanae Beach

no dogs – 10am–7pm
on-leash – 7pm–10am

Karaka Street, Ōtaki Beach to Ōtaki Surf Club

on-leash 10am–7pm
off-leash 7pm–10am

Other areas

Rules for other areas remain the same all year round. See the Dog Control Bylaw 2019, which lists all dog parks, exercise areas, and seasonal zones.

When dogs are near horses, keep them on a leash and pass slowly and carefully.

Year-round off-lead areas

Your dog can be off lead all year round, in these beach 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.

For the Waikanae Scientific Reserve, refer to the Department of Conservation .