Symmans said she did not understand why she should be paying for impounding and enforcement when her dogs had never roamed or caused issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t see why we should be paying for other people\u2019s mistakes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Western Bay of Plenty District Council dog registration fees for the 2026\/27 year are $154 for a non-neutered dog. This is an increase from $140 for 2025\/26.<\/p>\n
Fees must be paid before August 4; otherwise, late fees will be added.<\/p>\n
Maket\u016b pensioner Carolyn Symmans has Skye terrier Moana and chihuahua Kree. Photo \/ Kelly O’Hara<\/p>\n
Symmans said she owned two pedigree show dogs, was a member of Dogs New Zealand and was an experienced trainer and show dog judge.<\/p>\n
Both of her dogs, chihuahua Kree and sky terrier Moana, have not been desexed because she enters them in shows, so she has to pay $154 per dog this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m only on a pension … That\u2019s a hell of a lot of money.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said Dannevirke members of Dogs New Zealand were eligible for reduced registration fees of $88, down from $164 if paid before August 1. <\/p>\n
She had pushed for a discount in the Western Bay but it had \u201cfallen on deaf ears\u201d.<\/p>\n
She said the council was not giving good dog owners a fair go. <\/p>\n
Some councils have reduced registration fees for owners meeting certain requirements.<\/p>\n
Rotorua has a category called the Selected Dog Owner Status. Owners will pay $90 instead of $125 if they meet criteria, their application is accepted and they pay on time.<\/p>\n
Symmans compared the Western Bay\u2019s fees to those of other councils in the region. <\/p>\n
Matakana Island has a registration fee of $55 per dog.<\/p>\n
Symmans said she also believed cats should be registered and kept in confined areas.<\/p>\n
She suggested owners use catios \u2013 enclosed indoor, outdoor spaces often made with wooden frames and wire mesh \u2013 so felines were not able to wander and put wildlife at risk.<\/p>\n
P\u0101p\u0101moa resident Geoff Latter also suggested the costs of the Tauranga council\u2019s animal services could be covered better if cats were registered.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are more cats in this area than there are dogs.\u201d<\/p>\n
P\u0101p\u0101moa resident Geoff Latter has two Italian greyhounds, Molly and Miley. Photo \/ Kelly O’Hara<\/p>\n
Latter owns two Italian greyhounds, Molly and Miley.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor many of us in Tauranga, our dogs are not merely pets \u2013 they are integral members of our families, providing joy, companionship, and even therapeutic benefits,” he told a council public forum in March.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is particularly true for the significant portion of our population who are retirees, a group that makes up nearly 15% of the Bay of Plenty\u2019s residents.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said many retirees were on fixed incomes and feeling the financial strain of the registration fees. <\/p>\n
Tauranga City Council fees are $133 per dog, with penalty fees added if paid after July 31. This is an increase from $129 for 2025\/26.<\/p>\n
Latter spoke about Auckland\u2019s Responsible Dog Owner Licence. Owners who meet specific criteria pay $92 or $78 for a desexed dog, compared to $182 and $131. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis initiative not only provided financial relief … but it also incentivised responsible dog ownership.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the city council could introduce a similar programme.<\/p>\n
Latter told Local Democracy Reporting he had sent his suggestion out to his community and received about 800 signatures in support.<\/p>\n
He presented the petition to the council at the March forum.<\/p>\n
Late registration fees<\/p>\n
Each Bay of Plenty council has a penalty fee for late payments. <\/p>\n
Western Bay of Plenty District Council animal services team leader Peter Hrstich said about 10% of dog owners had not paid their registration fees in time for the 2025\/26 year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was a big improvement from the 2024\/25 year, when around 20% of dogs had not paid their registration fees in time.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the council had been reminding owners on social media, texts and emails about the registration to encourage them to budget ahead.<\/p>\n
Western Bay of Plenty District Council animal services team leader Peter Hrstich.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know many households are facing financial pressures at the moment, and we don\u2019t want dog owners paying more than they need to.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said owners with a history of paying on time should contact the council before August if they needed a little extra time.<\/p>\n
The council could consider extending their payment deadline for a few weeks without applying a late penalty, with each request assessed case-by-case. <\/p>\n
Hrstich said dogs on Matakana Island were charged a lower registration fee because they required little animal services support. <\/p>\n
The district council declined to comment on cat registration fees. <\/p>\n
Tauranga animal services team leader Oscar Glossop. Photo \/ Kelly O’Hara<\/p>\n
Tauranga City Council animal services team leader Oscar Glossop said 12,962 of Tauranga\u2019s known dogs were registered for the 2025\/26 year before the late fee came into effect.<\/p>\n
About 1500 dogs were registered after the July 31 deadline and had the late penalty applied.<\/p>\n
People having difficulty were encouraged to contact the council. <\/p>\n
Tauranga dog registration tags. Photo \/ Kelly O’Hara<\/p>\n
The council did not offer a discounted fee.<\/p>\n
Glossop said a responsible dog owner discount was explored during the early stages of the Dog Management Policy and Bylaw and Keeping of Animals Bylaw review.<\/p>\n
Cat registration was also raised through the bylaw review. <\/p>\n
Consultation on the proposed changes to the bylaws closed on July 2. The council is considering feedback received through the submission process.<\/p>\n
\u2013 LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.<\/p>\n