Have your say on keeping animals, poultry and bees in Whanganui
Published on 02 April 2026
Whanganui District Council is seeking community feedback on its draft Keeping of Animals, Poultry and Bees Bylaw, which is open for consultation from Tuesday, 31 March to Sunday, 3 May 2026.
Council policy advisor, Sasha Matthews, says the bylaw sets out the rules for keeping animals, poultry and bees so people can enjoy keeping them without causing issues for others.
“Substantial changes were made to the bylaw in 2020 and our 2026 review indicates it’s generally working well so we haven’t made any major adjustments this time around. Because it remains largely unchanged, it retains its 2020 title.”
Minor changes are proposed to improve clarity and transparency – these include:
- clearly stating the legal authority under which the bylaw is made
- relocating some provisions so the document flows better
- updating wording so requirements are clearer and easier to understand.
The council’s animal management team leader, Jono Hamlin, says the bylaw works well when it is needed.
“Most animal owners in Whanganui meet their responsibilities. Where that’s not happening we take a proactive approach, working with individuals to resolve issues and prevent recurrence.”
Matthews says the council has already spoken to community groups involved in keeping animals and is now seeking wider feedback.
“We encourage anyone with an interest in keeping animals, poultry or bees to read it and share their views.
“Feedback helps ensure the rules remain fair, practical and fit for our community.”
Consultation details, supporting information and the submission form are available on the Have Your Say section of the Whanganui District Council website.
Dogs are managed under a separate bylaw, which is also currently out for consultation. Anyone wanting to share feedback on how dogs are controlled in our district can do so through the open consultations section on the council’s website.