Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

National Parks Act 1980

Control of dogs

56I: Offences

You could also call this:

"Things you can get in trouble for when bringing dogs into national parks"

If you own a dog or are in charge of one, you can get in trouble if you let your dog into a national park when it's not allowed. This is against the law in section 56A.

Even if you have permission to take a dog into a national park, you must keep it under proper control. If you don't, you can get in trouble.

If you have a special permit to bring your dog into a national park, you must follow all the rules on that permit. If you don't, you can get in trouble.

A dog is not considered to be under proper control if it's found wandering freely in a national park.

If you break these rules, you could go to jail for up to 12 months, or pay a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM38266.

Topics:
Environment and resources > ConservationCrime and justice > Criminal law
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56H: Recovery of costs relating to dogs, or

"Dog owners must pay if their dog is handled in a national park"

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56J: Power of ranger to request information, or

"Rangers can ask for your details if you have a dog in a national park"

Part 5AControl of dogs

56IOffences

  1. Every person commits an offence against this Act and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to both who,—

  2. being the owner of a dog or a person in charge of a dog, allows that dog, in contravention of section 56A, to be in a national park; or
    1. being a person who is authorised, by or under this Act, to take a dog into a national park, fails to keep under proper control a dog that he or she has taken into a national park; or
      1. being the owner or a person in charge of a dog, fails to comply with any condition of a dog control permit.

        1. Without limiting the generality of subsection (1)(b), a dog shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed not to be under proper control if it is found at large in a national park.

        Notes
        • Section 56I: inserted, on , by section 3 of the National Parks Amendment Act (No 2) 1996 (1996 No 15).
        • Section 56I(1): amended, on , by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).