Join us for Bark and Brew, a relaxed drop-in session where you can pop in, enjoy a cuppa, and chat with our Animal Control team.

📅 Wednesday, 1 April 2026
⏰ 4.30-5.30pm
📍 Te Aroha Visitor Information Centre

There’s no formal agenda and no need to book. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions about dog ownership and registration, how animal control works in the district, what the Dog Policy and Dog Bylaw review means for you — or any other questions you might have.

It’s a great time for dog owners to come along, with the session happening during the Dog Policy and Dog Bylaw review, after Dogs in Togs, and ahead of dog registration renewals due before 31 July.

We held Bark and Brew in Matamata last year and had great conversations with community members who shared their stories, concerns, and experiences.

We’re looking forward to doing it again in Te Aroha and continuing those conversations. See you there!

Dog registration fees for 2026/27 

Dog owners across our district will be receiving their annual dog registration notices. Registrations are due 31 July 2026.  

Our district is home to around 5,500 registered dogs, and we’re proud to support a community that values responsible dog ownership. 

For the 2026/27 year, fees will increase around 6% (or a $10 increase), reflecting the rising cost of delivering animal control services. We’ve worked hard to keep this increase as low as possible while continuing to provide a reliable, responsive, and safety-focused service. Importantly, we continue to recognise and support responsible dog owners. Discounts remain available for eligible dog owners. You can view the full list of fees, charges, and available discounts on our website. 

In the last year we have been able to support the dogs in the pound by finding them new loving homes, with 47 dogs starting new lives.

What your registration fee supports

Your dog registration fee helps ensure we can continue to provide a range of services that support both dog owners and the wider community, including:

• Responding to complaints and incidents, including dog attacks
• Managing stray and wandering dogs and reuniting them with their owners
• Providing impoundment and shelter services
• Carrying out patrols and property inspections
• Supporting responsible dog ownership through education

Delivering a service for our community

Our animal control team works hard to support both dog owners and the wider community. Over the past year:

• We responded to 696 complaints, including barking and wandering dogs
• We managed 13 reported dog bite incidents
• Carried out 937 patrols across the district
• Impounded 191 dogs and worked to reunite many with their owners

We currently have one full-time Animal Control Officer and one part-time officer (30 hours per week), supported by administration and pound staff. Together, they deliver a 24/7 service, including after-hours response supported by contracted providers.

Why the fee increase is needed

While registration fees contribute significantly to the cost of the service, they do not fully cover the total cost of delivering animal control. Like many councils, we are seeing increased costs across staffing, compliance, and operational delivery.

We continue to carefully balance user fees and rates funding, recognising that animal control is not only about individual dog ownership, but also about public safety and community wellbeing.

Dog registration is a legal requirement under the Dog Control Act 1996. All dogs must be registered by 3 months of age and renewed annually by 31 July.

How to register:

You can register or renew your dogs or make changes to your registration:

• In our online portal
• At your local council office

The last day for payment without penalty is 31 July 2026. Late registrations incur a 50% penalty, and unregistered dogs may result in a $300 infringement in addition to the registration fee.

Thank you for helping keep our community safe and supporting responsible dog ownership across Matamata-Piako.

Dogs of all shapes and sizes gathered at our annual Dogs in Togs event last Sunday, taking the final dip at Swim Zone Morrinsville before it closed for the season.

The event was split into two sessions to accommodate all our furry friends and their swimming abilities. Small dogs kicked things off at 3.30pm happily paddling in the toddler pool, while the bigger dogs took over from 5pm.

With tiny terriers cruising along and chocolate Labradors launching themselves into the deep-end, it was almost like watching a manu diving competition. The pool was filled with excited barks and wagging tails, with many dogs taking the opportunity to run free and make new friends.

“This event is always a highlight,” said Swim Zone Morrinsville Manager Ihsaan Fahim. “It’s great to see the community come together and give their dogs a chance to have fun. It almost feels like we’ve had more dogs than humans here today!’’

Swim Zone Morrinsville is now closed until summer, but those looking for a swim can still head to Swim Zone Te Aroha or Swim Zone Matamata, which are both open year round with indoor and outdoor heated pool options.

For Swim Zone opening hours across the district, check out swimzonepools.co.nz

Dogs in Togs has quietly become one of Swim Zone Morrinsville’s favourite end‑of‑season traditions — the one day a year where the pool goes to the dogs literally before it gets drained for winter.

Matamata Rotarians gathered at the Peria Road Reserve dog park, to unveil the group's latest community project - a brand new sheltered seating area.

The official opening gathered Mayor Adrienne Wilcock, Matamata ward councillors, Rotary District Governor Bill Robinson and current International Rotary President Gordon McInally who led proceedings ''With 1.4 million Rotary members around the globe, I am extremely grateful to be here with the group in Matamata,” said McInally. "It's projects like these that really showcase the positive impact Rotary can have in our communities''.

Matamata Rotary President Jane Belton said the new shelter is “great for people in the community who bring their dogs, to sit, relax and enjoy the scenic views - especially for our elderly''. Construction of the new shelter began in April this year with the installation of new concrete, led by Rotary member Peter Vossen and the wider team at Peter Vossen Builders. ''During this project, we've been very fortunate to have a lot of trades people on board giving their time and donating materials as well was consulting with council to ensure that this was a sustainable project and something we can maintain moving forward'' said Belton.

The idea of building a shelter in the dog park was championed by Rotary member Peter Vossen during our 'Your Voice Your Vision' consultation in 2020.  During this consultation we asked the community for ideas on what would make our district the ‘Place of Choice’.  After holding discussions with vets, dog agility businesses and community members it became clear there was a real need and support for a fully fenced dog park in Matamata.

For Mayor Adrienne Wilcock, the new shelter represents the important role community groups play in shaping our district. ''I'd like to congratulate Matamata Rotary for another job well done. What we are witnessing today is as simple as people doing things for people and that's what makes a community,'' said Mayor Wilcock. Matamata Rotary were able to secure some of the funding through a council grant and have worked closely with staff to create spaces we can all be proud of.

This community led project is part of a bigger proposal to make some exciting upgrades to the dog exercise area. In the future they hope to add agility courses and potentially fence off some space for smaller dogs. Watch this space! 

Pictured above: Group gathered at Peria Road Reserve Dog Park. From left International Rotary president Gordon McInally, Rotary president Jane Belton, Heather McInally, Mayor Adrienne Wilcock, Deb Robinson, Rotary District Governor Bill Robinson and Matamata Rotarian David Hulme.

Pictured above: New shelter a Peria Road Reserve Dog Park, constructed by Peter Vossen Builders on behalf of Matamata Rotary. 

Over the summer holidays, our pets enjoyed having us at home more than usual. This leads some dogs to develop separation anxiety - the most common cause being a change in routine, such as their owners returning to work or the kids being back at school. All dogs can develop separation anxiety and it is not particular to certain breeds or ages. The most common sign is excessive barking. 

Our Animal Control team, received a total of 154 barking dog complaints throughout the district in the 2023-24 year, with 183 reported the year before. We can all agree that excessive barking isn't a good time for anyone so we've gathered some helpful tips to help reduce separation anxiety in our fur friends.

Recommendations by Australian Animal Behaviourist Dr. Kate Mornement include:

• Create a safe space in their home where they can relax, with the same blanket and bed they are used to.
• Leave your dog with something it loves or something to keep it occupied like their favourite toy and/or a food puzzle toy, licking is a soothing activity for dogs.
• If your dog is used to having noise throughout the day try audio stimulation, Spotify has created playlists specifically for this - check them out here.
• Doggy Day Care can reduce separation anxiety in dogs, working as a distraction. We have great local options available in our district.
• Slowly desensitise by regularly doing activities associated with leaving the house e.g. grabbing your keys and/or putting on shoes. By doing this even when you’re not leaving, the dog slowly becomes used to these triggers and feels less anxious.

If you or someone you know is struggling with barking dogs in our district you can find the online Barking Dogs Complaint Form here. Please note - that in order to prove the complaint, the dog(s) barking or howling must be both loud and persistent.

Go in the draw to win in a year's free dog rego!

Make the switch – request to have your dog rego emailed instead of posted by 4pm Friday 8 May 2026, and you'll go in the draw to win a year's free dog registration!

It's quick and easy - just pop into your local council office, give us a call on 0800 746 467, or switch over yourself here.

If you’ve already opted in to emails – awesome – you're automatically in the draw!

We'll be sending out registration notices in June, so keep an eye out for yours.

Learn more about dog registration fees and what they cover here.

Doggo in the District

Did you know that you can sign up to Doggo in the District, and receive an e-newsletter just for dog owners?

You'll find great information inside about owning dogs, places you can take dogs, and other tips and tricks to help make life easier.

If you want to receive this little morsel in your inbox every quarter, click here and select Animal Control to sign up. 

Keep us in the loop

If any of your details have changed, just click here and you can update them online.

This includes if your dog changes ownership, gets desexed, gets microchipped, or changes address.

If you want to speak to someone in person give us a call on 0800 746 467 or head into your local council office, 

Most dog owners understand the importance of microchipping their pets, but many don't realise that a microchip is only effective if the information connected to it is accurate and up to date.

Microchipping is one of the quickest ways to reunite lost dogs with their owners. If a dog is found wandering, Animal Control officers can scan the microchip and use the information linked to that microchip to identify and contact the owner. However, if the owner's details have changed and the microchip record hasn't been updated, it can make it much harder to get that dog home safely.

A common misunderstanding

A microchip does not store any information about you or your dog — it only contains a unique identification number. The microchip only becomes useful when that number is linked to your contact details on a recognised database.

A common misconception is that registering and updating your dog's microchip details with your veterinarian or on the Animal Companion Register is all that is required. The Animal Companion Register is a lost-and-found pet database. However, there is an additional requirement under the Dog Control Act.

Dog owners are required to register their dogs with their local council and provide the dog's microchip number as part of the registration process.

Why Council needs your dog's microchip number

When a dog is registered with council, the microchip number must be recorded on the dog's registration record, unless it is a working dog or has an approved veterinary exemption.

Having accurate microchip information helps us and Animal Control officers identify dogs more efficiently and supports the return of lost pets to their owners.

If we do not have your dog's microchip number on file, or your contact details are no longer current, it can make it more difficult to confirm ownership and registration details when a dog is found.

When you register your dog with council, or update details such as your address, phone number or ownership information, these updates are recorded in the National Dog Database.

Keep your details current

If you've changed address, phone number or ownership details, it's important to update your dog registration information with council.

If your dog is also registered on the Animal Companion Register, you'll need to update your details with them separately, as the two systems are managed independently. Taking a few minutes to check that your information is up to date could help reunite you with your pet quickly and safely when it matters most.

Ten-year-old Pippa, a snack-loving, toy-shredding springer spaniel–labrador mix, has earned her family a free year of dog registration.

Congratulations to Bridget Gill of Matamata, who won a free year’s dog registration for 2026/27, valued at $172. The competition ran from 22 April to 8 May 2026 and encouraged owners in the district to receive their registration notices by email rather than post.

Pippa was born in Tahuna as part of a litter of ten and has always been connected to the Gill family. Originally owned by her daughter and grandchildren, Pippa soon moved in with Bridget, as the grandchildren were a little too young to care for a dog. It didn’t take long for her to become a much-loved member of the household.

When asked if she would encourage other dog owners to register their pets, Bridget said, “Absolutely. It’s an easy process, and the council staff are great to deal with if you have any enquiries.”

Registering and microchipping your dog plays an important role, “It provides a great chance to be reunited with your pet. If they aren’t microchipped, it makes it much harder,” Bridget explained. She recalls how her cousin’s pet went missing while they were on holiday, only for them to receive a phone call eight years later saying it had been found and was ready to be picked up.

Pippa has a big personality, especially when it comes to food! Described as a nonstop eater she loves all kinds of treats, with chicken strips being a particular favourite. She also enjoys playing with her toys, especially tearing them apart, and going on her nightly walks around the Matamata area, including visits to the reserves on Peria Road.

“Dogs are a wonderful part of family life, and they don’t need a lot, just food, water, a fence, and plenty of love and time,” Bridget said. She also emphasised the importance of giving your dog time to settle in and adjust to their new routine when joining a household. When asked for advice to new dog owners, Bridget didn’t hesitate, “You always, always need a dog in the family!”

There are many great locations across the district for both on- and off-leash exercise. You can find a list of dog-friendly exercise areas on our website here. 

For tips, updates, and all things dog-related, you can sign up for our ‘Doggo in the District’ e-newsletter here. 

Life can get busy, we understand that. That’s why many of our services are available online, including dog registration (new and renewals), ownership transfers, and updates such as notifying us if your pet has passed away. To manage your details without needing to visit a council office visit, just click here.

Save the date! Registration notices for 2026/27 will be sent out in June 2026 and all dogs must be registered by 31 July 2026.