Tītīrangi Domain (Kaiti Hill)
On leashLeash required by the bylaw. The Kaiti Hill / Whataupoko Trail is a council walkway.
Directions Read the guideDog Parks and Dog Walks in Gisborne
Dog exercise areas, off-leash walks and dog-friendly beaches around Gisborne, with the council's rules for each.
In Gisborne city, dogs must be on a leash in every public place unless the council lists it as an off-leash or dog-free area. Kaiti Beach, Waikanae Beach from The Cut to Roberts Road, the Botanical Gardens and the main sports grounds are off limits. Every place below shows its rule and how to get there.
Map of dog parks, walks and beaches
Every place on this page as a pin. Tap a pin for its dog rule, directions and our guide.
Dog parksWalksBeachesNo dogsHas our guideGroup, tap to zoom in
Walks and reserves (8)
Waihīrere Domain
On leash Directions Read the guideWhataupoko Reserve
Off leashCouncil off-leash area and listed walkway.
Directions Read the guideAyton Park
Off leash DirectionsColdstream Road Reserve
Off leash DirectionsHeath Johnston Park
Some rulesOff leash at the Paraone Road end; no dogs at the Wainui Road end.
DirectionsNelson Park
Some rulesOff leash next to the footbridge; no dogs on the sports grounds.
DirectionsWaiteata Park
Some rulesOff leash on the north side of the waterway, away from the playground.
DirectionsBeaches (3)
Midway Beach
Off leashBeach and foreshore from Stanley Road to the Waipaoa River mouth is off leash, over 7 km.
Directions Read the guideWaikanae Beach
Some rulesNo dogs, even on a leash, from The Cut (Young Nick statue) to Roberts Road. Beyond Roberts Road dogs are on leash until the off-leash stretch begins at Stanley Road.
Directions Read the guideWainui Beach
Off leashOff leash except between the flags.
Directions Read the guideNo dogs (30)
Anzac Park
No dogs Directions Read the guideBotanical Gardens
No dogs Directions Read the guideChilders Road Reserve
No dogs Directions Read the guideHarry Barker Reserve
No dogs Directions Read the guideAnaura Bay Walkway
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideMangakawa Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsMangaone Caves Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsNikau Loop Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsOkitu Bush Scenic Reserve Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideOtoko Walkway
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideRidge Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsAdventure Playground
No dogs DirectionsAlfred Cox Park Pump Track and Alfred Cox Skateboard Park
No dogs DirectionsBarry Park
No dogs DirectionsGisborne Airport
No dogs DirectionsGladstone Road (Roebuck Road to Customhouse Street)
No dogs DirectionsHeipipi Endeavour Park
No dogs DirectionsInnes Street Reserve
No dogs DirectionsKaiti Beach
No dogsBeach and dunes up to the road.
DirectionsKaiti Mall
No dogs DirectionsKiwa Pools
No dogs DirectionsOutdoor Theatre (Gisborne Soundshell)
No dogs DirectionsRailway Reserve
No dogs DirectionsRugby Park
No dogs DirectionsThe Oval
No dogs DirectionsTitirangi Park
No dogs DirectionsVictoria Domain
No dogs DirectionsWaikanae to Midway Beach, The Cut to Roberts Road
No dogsAbout 700 m of Waikanae Beach from the Young Nick statue to Roberts Road.
DirectionsWaikirikiri Reserve Sports Grounds
No dogsThe surrounding area is not included.
DirectionsWatson Park
No dogs DirectionsNo places match that search.
The rules at a glance
Off leashMidway Beach out to the Waipaoa River mouth, Wainui Beach (except between the flags), Whataupoko Reserve, Ayton Park, Coldstream Reserve, the footbridge end of Nelson Park, the north side of the Waiteata Park waterway, and the Paraone Road end of Heath Johnston Park.
On a leashEvery other public place in the city, including streets, footpaths and the city boardwalks. Also Tītīrangi Domain (Kaiti Hill) and Waihīrere Domain.
No dogsKaiti Beach and dunes, Waikanae Beach from The Cut (Young Nick statue) to Roberts Road, Gladstone Road from Roebuck Road to Customhouse Street, the Botanical Gardens, Anzac Park, Victoria Domain, sports grounds such as Rugby Park, Harry Barker Reserve and The Oval, the Adventure Playground, Kiwa Pools and Kaiti Mall.
Gisborne District Council dog exercise areas Tairāwhiti Dog Control Bylaw 2023
Dog services in Gisborne
Common questions
Is there a fenced dog park in Gisborne?
No. The council doesn't list a fenced dog park. The main off-leash areas are Midway Beach, Wainui Beach (away from the flags), Whataupoko Reserve, Ayton Park and Coldstream Reserve.
Can I take my dog to Waikanae Beach?
Not on the stretch from The Cut (the Young Nick statue) to Roberts Road, about 700 metres, even on a leash. Past Roberts Road dogs must be on a leash, and further along, towards Midway Beach and the Waipaoa River mouth, they can be off leash. Check the signs for where the off-leash stretch starts.
Do dogs have to be on a lead in Gisborne?
Inside the city, yes, in every public place that isn't a named off-leash or dog-free area, and at Tītīrangi Domain and Waihīrere Domain. Outside the city boundary the leash rule doesn't apply, but your dog must be under control, and DOC land needs DOC permission.
Sources: Gisborne District Council; Department of Conservation (DOC). Rules change, so check the signs when you arrive. Checked October 2026.