Whanganui District Council is inviting the community to have their say on the proposed changes to the Keeping of Animals, Poultry and Bees Bylaw.
The council reviews this bylaw every five years, as required by legislation. As part of the most recent review, the council looked at how well the bylaw is working and whether it is still the best way to manage issues related to animals, poultry and bees in Whanganui.
The review found that the bylaw continues to be an efficient and effective way of managing these matters, with no significant problems identified.
What the Keeping of Animals, Poultry and Bees Bylaw does
The bylaw helps protect the community from nuisance caused by animals, poultry and bees, while also setting clear expectations for people who keep them. Dogs are not included, as they are managed under their own separate bylaw and policy.
It applies to a range of animals and activities across the district, including cats, horses, pigs, bees, poultry, stock movement and animal slaughter.
In practice, the bylaw sets rules around things like:
- how many cats can be kept at a property
- requirements for de‑sexing cats over four months of age
- restrictions on keeping horses and pigs in urban areas
- limits on the number of beehives per property
- how bee flight paths should be managed near neighbouring properties
- minimum distances for beehives from boundaries, houses and footpaths
- limits on poultry numbers
- restrictions on keeping roosters in urban areas
This is not an exhaustive list of what the bylaw covers. For full details, please read the draft bylaw.
Proposed minor changes to the Bylaw
Because the Bylaw remains the best way to deal with this, but also works well as it is, we are proposing three minor changes:
- adding a statement at the beginning of the Bylaw that clearly explains the legal authority under which it is made;
- moving some provisions into more appropriate sections to make the Bylaw easier to navigate; and
- updating the wording to make the requirements clearer and easier to understand
How to have your say
You can share your views by submitting before 5.00pm on Sunday, 3 May 2026.
You can make an online submission or download a printable form(PDF, 277KB) and drop it off to us at 101 Guyton Street, or email it to policysubmissions@whanganui.govt.nz
People who make submissions may also choose to speak to their submission at our council hearings scheduled for 12-13 May 2026.