Our community’s voice

Over the past eight weeks, many of you have spoken to me about dogs.

You have shared your concerns about where and when dogs can be exercised, and where they shouldn’t. You have told me about problems with wandering dogs and how some of you have difficulty exercising your pets. We have talked about the number of dogs people should own, and about how best to protect our wildlife.

These discussions took place at eight public events the Far North District Council held during August and September to publicise the proposed dog management policy and bylaw

2018. Our goal was to inform Far North residents about the proposed policy and bylaw, and to encourage as many residents as possible to have their say on how dogs should be managed in our district.

During these events we handed out more than 850 information brochures and hundreds of submission forms. The council also directly contacted more than 7119 registered dog owners, 1468 interested residents, 222 special interest groups, 264 people who asked to be informed about council proposals, and 163 iwi and hapu groups. We invested in an eight-week print, radio and digital advertising campaign, and reached 34,855 people via social media.

The aim was to ensure that as many residents as possible understood the proposal and knew how to give us feedback. I think we achieved that goal.

At the close of submissions last week we had received 1215 responses. That is a fantastic result, and rivals any consultation we have undertaken. By comparison, when we first consulted on this issue in 2016 we received just 337 submissions.

Of course, this is not the end of the process. About 100 submitters have indicated they want to talk directly to councillors about the proposal, and we will be meeting them during public hearings in Kaitaia, Kaikohe and Kerikeri starting on October 18.

Elected members will gather to discuss the proposal and the submissions you have lodged on November 6 and 15.

Just as we increased the normal submissions period from four to eight weeks to give people more time to find out about the proposals and have their say, we have also doubled the time for deliberations.

This is not only due to the number of submissions received and the complexities of what is being proposed. It reflects the depth of feeling many of you have expressed about the welfare of your pets, about the need to protect our wildlife, and the absolute necessity of keeping people safe from harm.

Overall, I believe it has also been a positive experience. As a council we have learnt important lessons about communicating with residents, and I believe residents have also learnt about the legal limitations within which the council operates.

Whatever the final outcome, your opinions have been heard, and will be considered.

"At the close of submissions [on dog regulations] last week we had received 1215 responses. That is a fantastic result, and rivals any consultation we have undertaken. "