Date:  10 December 2015

With the fine summer weather on our doorstep, DOC is asking visitors to refrain from taking pets when visiting Rotorua’s conservation campsites. 

There are six DOC administered campsites in Rotorua; two around Lake Rerewhakaaitu, three around Lake Tarawera and one at Lake Okareka. 

“Around Rotorua, there have been some  dog related issues and we want to ensure  the public are safe at DOC campgrounds and that families feel comfortable to camp there”, explains DOC Services Manager Jeff Milham. 

DOC is working collaboratively with campground managers and Rotorua Lakes Council’s animal control department to provide consistent information relating to dog exercise areas. The Rotorua Lakes Council administer several campsites which allow dogs. 

“Many of our camp managers are in favour of dog free campsites and legislatively dogs aren’t permitted in conservation areas. The Reserves Act, the Conservation Act and the Wildlife Act do not allow dogs at our campsites”, says Mr Milham. 

Whakarewarewa Charitable Trust, managers of Rotorua’s Hot Water Beach, is one of many campground managers that support dog-free campsites. 

Blair Millar, Chief Executive Officer of Whakarewarewa Thermal Village Tours, says, “We fully support Hot Water Beach as a dog free campsite, as it can be hard for families to have an enjoyable and relaxing stay when there are dogs around – especially if they foul in the area. We are also concerned about the impact dogs have on wildlife in the wider Rotorua area”.

Earlier this year, a Rotorua man was prosecuted after dogs in his control attacked and killed protected birds.  

DOC has produced a factsheet titled ‘Dogs in Rotorua’s conservation areas’ which is available from the DOC office. Email rotorua@doc.govt.nz for further information. Signage relating to dogs will be updated over a transitional period. 

The news follows several dog related incidents across New Zealand.

Rotorua conservation campsites

• Rerewhakaaitu, Ash Pit Rd Campsite
• Rerewhakaaitu, Brett Road Campsite
• Lake Okareka Campsite
• Hot Water Beach Campsite
• Humphries Bay Campsite
• Lake Tarawera Outlet Campsite

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