Dog Parks and Dog Walks in Napier
Dog exercise areas, off-leash walks and dog-friendly beaches around Napier, with the council's rules for each.
In Napier, dogs must be on a leash in every public place, including streets and most parks, unless the council lists it as a dog exercise area or a dog-free area. Te Whanganui-ā-Orotū (Ahuriri Estuary), the Pandora walkway and council sports parks are off limits, and Westshore Beach has a summer leash rule. Every place below shows its rule and how to get there.
Map of dog parks, walks and beaches
Every place on this page as a pin. Tap a pin for its dog rule, directions and our guide.
Dog parksWalksBeachesNo dogsHas our guideGroup, tap to zoom in
Dog parks (2)
Taradale Dog Park
Off leash Fenced Agility Water Poo bag bin DirectionsWalks and reserves (14)
Anderson Park
Some rulesOff leash on the northern side of the ponds and waterways between York Avenue and Freyberg Avenue, and on the green strip from Taradale Road alongside Islington Place
Directions Read the guideDolbel Reserve
Some rulesOff leash in most of the reserve; check the signs for the on-lead sections
Directions Read the guideAhuriri Reserve
Off leash DirectionsAlexander Park
Off leashFrom Taradale Road to Te Awa Park
DirectionsCross Country Drain (south side)
Off leashFrom Ulyatt Road to Te Awa Avenue
DirectionsKaretoki Whare (Sturms Gully)
Off leash DirectionsPark Island cemetery surrounds
Off leashLand around the base of the Western Hills and Park Island cemeteries, bounded by the sports grounds, Clyde Jeffery Drive and the waterways, including the walkways. The Park Island sports fields themselves are dog free.
DirectionsPlantation Reserve
Off leashFrom Henry Hill School to Taradale Road
DirectionsReserve south of Atherfold, Spriggs and Perry Crescents
Off leashNorth of the motorway culvert
DirectionsRiverside Park
Off leashBehind the Pettigrew Green Arena; home of the Taradale Dog Park
DirectionsTaipo Stream Reserve
Off leashFrom Willow Drive through to Balmoral Street, Osier Road and Church Road
DirectionsTamatea Road Reserve and Prebensen Drive Reserve
Off leashThe reserves along Tamatea Drive and Prebensen Drive
DirectionsTaradale to Kennedy Road greenbelt
Off leashThe reserve between Taradale and Kennedy Roads beside Riverbend Road, continuing past Latham Street, Nash Street and Willowbank Avenue, and including Te Awa Park, Nash Street Reserve, Latham Street Reserve and Riverbend Road Reserve
DirectionsWestminster Avenue drainage reserve
Off leashThe drainage reserve running around Westminster Avenue
DirectionsBeaches (2)
Marine Parade beach (Beach Domain)
Off leashOff leash on the beach and foreshore seaward of State Highway 2 from the National Aquarium south to the city boundary. North of the Aquarium, dogs must be on a leash.
Directions Read the guideWestshore Beach
Some rules Seasonal rulesSeaward of The Esplanade and the railway line, from the public toilets north to the city boundary. The Westshore Wildlife Reserve and estuary side are dog free.
Off leash March to September, on leash October to February (bylaw). The council web page says off leash March to July and on leash August to February.
Directions Read the guideNo dogs (23)
Bell Rock Loop Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsBellbird Bush Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsDons Stream Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsLake Rototuna and Lake Rotoroa (Kaweka Lakes) Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsLakes carpark to Mackintosh carpark via Mackintosh Hut
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsLawrence Road tramping tracks
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsLotkow Road to Little's Clearing
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsMackintosh carpark to Lawrence Road end via Mackintosh Hut and Donald River
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsMackintosh carpark to Mackintosh Hut
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsMatauria Ridge Track (Makahu Saddle to Mackintosh Track Junction)
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsNgahere Loop Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsOpouahi Walkway
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsThomas Bush Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsTrials Spur Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsWaikōpiro Loop Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsWhakamaharatanga Walkway
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideWhite Pine Bush Scenic Reserve walks
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsŌtātara Pā Historic Reserve Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideHumber Street beach (Ahuriri Estuary)
No dogsPart of the Te Whanganui-ā-Orotū prohibited area
DirectionsPandora walkway
No dogsWetland bird sanctuary; dogs prohibited on the walkway
DirectionsPort Beach West
No dogsHardinge Road
DirectionsTe Whanganui-ā-Orotū (Ahuriri Estuary)
No dogsIncludes the whole Westshore Wildlife Reserve, the Ahuriri Estuary Wildlife Refuge below high tide, the Lagoon Farm cycle path, the boardwalk and formed tracks, DOC land, and the Humber Street reserve and beach. Protects endangered birds.
DirectionsWatchman Road Reserve
No dogs DirectionsNo places match that search.
The rules at a glance
Off leashListed dog exercise areas only: Taradale Dog Park and Riverside Park, most of Dolbel Reserve, Taipo Stream Reserve, the Taradale to Kennedy Road greenbelt, Alexander Park, parts of Anderson Park, Plantation Reserve, the Park Island Dog Agility Track and the land around the Park Island cemeteries, Karetoki Whare (Sturms Gully), Ahuriri Reserve, several drainage reserves in Tamatea, Onekawa and Napier South, and Marine Parade beach south of the National Aquarium.
On a leashEverywhere else, including streets, footpaths and most parks. Marine Parade north of the National Aquarium, the signed on-lead parts of Dolbel Reserve, and Westshore Beach in the warmer months.
No dogsTe Whanganui-ā-Orotū (Ahuriri Estuary), including the Westshore Wildlife Reserve, the Lagoon Farm cycle path and Humber Street beach. Also the Pandora walkway, Port Beach West, Watchman Road Reserve, council sports parks such as McLean Park and the Park Island sports fields, council playgrounds, and council buildings, libraries and pools.
Summer and seasonal rulesWestshore Beach, from the public toilets north to the city boundary: under the Dog Control Bylaw 2022, off leash 1 March to 30 September and on a leash 1 October to the end of February. The council's web page gives different months, so check the signs.
Napier City Council dog exercise areas Napier Dog Control Bylaw 2022
Dog services in Napier
VetsPets, Equine and Farm Animal Care
Pet groomersFull Grooms, De-Matting and Mobile Grooming
Dog trainersPuppy, Obedience and Behaviour Training
Pet shopsRaw Pet Food, Aquarium and Grooming Stores
Common questions
Is there a fenced dog park in Napier?
Yes. Taradale Dog Park in Riverside Park, behind the Pettigrew Green Arena, is fenced and has agility gear, water, seating and shade. There is also a dog agility track at Park Island in Tamatea.
Can I take my dog to Westshore Beach?
Yes, on the beach seaward of The Esplanade, from the public toilets north to the city boundary. Under the bylaw, dogs can be off leash from March to September and must be on a leash from October to February. The estuary side, the Westshore Wildlife Reserve and Humber Street beach are dog free.
Do dogs have to be on a lead in Napier?
Yes, in every public place, including streets and most parks, unless it is a listed dog exercise area. In those areas they can be off leash. Some places, such as the Ahuriri Estuary and council sports parks, don't allow dogs at all.
Sources: Napier City Council; Department of Conservation (DOC). Rules change, so check the signs when you arrive. Checked October 2026.