Animal Control Fees & Charges

Animal control fees and charges are charged under the Dog Control Act 1996, Impounding Act 1955, and Tararua District Council Bylaws. Dog control infringements are determined by statute and can be found in Schedule 1 (Infringement Offences and Fees) of the Dog Control Act 1996.

Owners are required to register their dogs by 1 August of each year; failing which an additional late fee of 50% of the base fee will apply.

   Fee ($)
Animal Control Advice
Application and compliance advice no charge
Dog Registration
Urban domestic dog (entire)
Fee if paid on or before 1 August 130.00
Late fee if paid after 1 August 195.00
Urban domestic dog (desexed) 
Fee if paid on or before 1 August110.00
Late fee if paid after 1 August165.00
Preferred owner dogs (entire)
Fee if paid on or before 1 August 75.00
Late fee if paid after 1 August * 112.50
Preferred owner dogs  (desexed)
Fee if paid on or before 1 August65.00
Late fee if paid after 1 August *97.50
* Preferred owner status may be revoked if paid after 1 August. If revoked, the applicable dog registration fee will apply.
Rural domestic dog
Fee if paid on or before 1 August 75.00
Late fee if paid after 1 August 112.50
Working dog *
Fee if paid on or before 1 August 55.00
Late fee if paid after 1 August         82.50

* First 5 working dogs per owner are at full working dog fee ($ 55) subsequent dogs are $ 5.00.

Over 65 canine companion
Fee if paid on or before 1 August 85.0085.00
Late fee if paid after 1 August127.50
* Providing a false statement when registering a dog is an offence subject to a $3,000 fine on conviction.
Dangerous dog - as classified under the Dog Control Act 1996
Fee if paid on or before 1 August Base fee + 50%
Late fee if paid after 1 August Additional  50% of  registration fee
Disability assist dog with organisation certificate no charge
* Over 65 fee is only for Urban dog owners that are  not already Preferred Owners. Owners will have to apply for the Over 65 fee and provide proof of their age.
*Any new dog that is less than 3 months old after 1 August in any calendar year will be charged a pro rata of the dog registration fee for that year.
Other fees 
Dog lead12.00
Dog collar 
Large/extra large12.00
Small/medium10.00
Barking dog collar 
Bond50.00
Rental20.00  per week
Replacement registration tag or disc5.00
Application for preferred owner status75.00
Application for licence to keep three or more dogs115.00
Application for licence to register a boarding kennel (bylaw)200.00
Application for licence to register a breeding kennel (bylaw)200.00
Impounding – dog pound
Impounding of dogs with preferred owner status will trigger a review in accordance with Council’s bylaw. Preferred owner status may be revoked.
First impoundingper dog 80.00
Second impounding within 12 monthsper dog120.00
Third or subsequent impounding within 12 monthsper dog170.00
Microchipping (if required) 30.00
Daily sustenanceper dog17.00
Costs associated with, but not limited to, vet treatment, supplementary feeding, or whelping actual cost including staff time and contractor cost
Housing dog at other facilities (if required)
E.g. veterinary clinics, boarding kennels
 actual cost including staff time and contractor cost
Rehoming fee
Sustenance, administration, registration, microchip (if required), and property
suitability inspection
 50.00
Voluntary handover (surrender dog) 40.00
Euthanise dog actual cost
Impounding – stock pound
Transport of stock actual cost
First impounding per animal80.00
Second or subsequent impounding within 12 monthsper animal120.00
Daily sustenanceper animal13.00
Costs associated with, but not limited to, tagging (NAIT), vet treatment,
inspection, supplementary feeding or animal husbandry
 actual cost including
staff time and
contractor cost
Advertising actual cost including
staff time
Infringements  
Dog control Act Infringements statutory fee
Officer rates  
Administration Officerper hour*125.00
Animal Control Officerper hour*175.00
Manager Officerper hour*255.00

* or part thereof